Close-up Of Red-beaked Seagull Calmly Standing In Tidal Pool Stock Photo

There are dozens of species of gulls and they are some of the hardest birds to identify for various reasons. For example, the plumage of juveniles of different species can take three to four years to achieve an adult plumage, meanwhile looking very different at each stage. Some gulls have non-breeding and breeding plumage that change throughout the seasons. Sometimes gulls cross-breed with other types of gulls, forming hybrids with the looks and characteristics of each of the parent birds. That said, this gull is most likely a non-breeding adult Heermann`s gull...or a breeding Heermann`s gull on its way to developing the easily identifiable all-white head of the adult bird. The black-tipped red beak, gray body, white-tipped wings and dark legs all suggest the Heermann`s identification. None of this matters to the individual it the photo. All that really matters here is its apparent good health and the chance to get a good, detailed look at this calm, handsome bird.