North Idaho is known for its spectacular array of birds, like great horned and gray owls, ravens, magpies and so many more. But when arriving to Coeur d’Alene, I was surprised by the presence of one bird in particular: the ring-billed gull! What’s a seagull doing so far away from the sea?

It turns out that the term “seagull” is actually a misnomer in more ways than one. First, there is technically no such thing as a “seagull.” This unofficial term is used to describe all members of laridae, or “gull” family, including but not limited to the California gull, the Pacific gull, and the red-billed gull. The second reason “seagull” is a misnomer because not all gulls live by the sea. In recent years, an increasing number of gulls are making their homes in urban settlements, like towns and cities. Like crows and pigeons, gulls are opportunistic, meaning they can usually find something to eat and places to roost and nest just about anywhere. Some gulls, including “ring-bills” have taken up residence in regions far inland, like right here around Idaho’s Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) are one of the most common and widespread species of gulls in North America. While difficult for the untrained eye to tell apart from other gulls, adult ring-billed gulls are approximately the size of a crow and have clean gray plumage above in the form of a white head, body and tail. They also have black, white-spotted wingtips, and of course its namesake: that ring across its beak. During at least some part of the year, these birds can be found from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific, and from Mexico into Canada. As far as our local ring-bills are concerned, they congregate in the summer to nest on an island located in Sprague Lake, eastern Washington. When not breeding, they can often be found not only at our own Lake Coeur d’Alene, but also the nearby Pend Oreille.

Ring-billed gulls are a strongly social species, and they especially love to congregate around food. They are often spotted rummaging through trash in search of a tasty treat, or stealing food from other animals and humans. Their natural diet varies depending on the season, but they usually prefer to eat fish, insects, worms and other grubs, grain, eggs, crabs and small rodents.

These birds may be incredibly common today, but that wasn’t the case during the late 19th century. During this time, ring-billed gulls were hunted profusely for their plumage, causing their population to drop like a stone. Fortunately the overhunting was stopped and their numbers have since skyrocketed! It’s been estimated that their population consisted of 3 to 4 million birds in 1990 and is still on the increase. If this trend continues, ring-billed gulls will be around for a long time to come.

HOMESCHOOL PROJECT

DRAWING CONTEST

Submit your best PENCIL drawing of a Ring-Billed Gull. It can be a black and white drawing or a color drawing.

There will be two winners, primary and secondary grades.

DRAWING CONTEST RULES

1. You must be a homeschooler.

2. Grades 1st through 12th can enter.

3. Drawing must be done by the entrant.

4. Drawings must be submitted via email to angeldominiq13@gmail.com by 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 31. Include the entrant’s and parent’s name, child’s age and parent’s phone number.

The winners’ drawings will be announced in the next Press article on Sept. 4.

In addition, the winners’ drawings will be framed and displayed on Friday, Sept. 14 from 5-9 p.m. at Blackwell Gallery, 205 Sherman Ave. in Coeur d’Alene.

Project provided by Angel Dominiq

Thank you to Blackwell Gallery for displaying the winners.