Family: Laridae, Gulls and Terns view all from this family
Description ADULT SUMMER Has mainly black upper wings and back,
continuous with black cap and back of neck; forecrown and
underparts are white. In flight, note dark center to otherwise
white upper tail, dark gray primaries, and white trailing edge
to dark upper wing. Legs are short and red and bill is red-based
and dark-tipped. ADULT WINTER Similar, but black cap and nape
are separated from black back by streaked white hind neck.
JUVENILE Similar to winter adult, but with paler gray-buff
margins to feathers of otherwise dark elements of upperparts.
These are molted gradually through first winter. Dimensions
Length: 18" (46 cm) Habitat Local and generally scarce in
southwestern U.S., but common and much more widespread on Gulf
coast. Nests on sandy beaches. Extremely vulnerable to changing
water levels, but more so to human disturbance, both directly
and by the presence of aggressive dogs. Present year-round on
Gulf coast and Atlantic coast north to No