Ring-billed Gull

The Ring-billed Gull is a fairly common breeder in very localized areas in the CW Region. Breeding habitat includes marshland islands, protected, urban grassy areas near water, and even large, flat rooftops. Once absent as a nester in Illinois, the Ring-billed Gull has since established a number of large breeding colonies in the Chicago area. Although this species is poorly sampled by the BCN Survey, trend estimates suggest a moderate decline in preserves and natural areas. Efforts have taken place along the Chicago lakefront to control gull numbers and also study their patterns of vagrancy. Photo: © Eric Secker