Kumlien's Gull
The Kumlien's Gull (Larus glaucoides kumlieni) is a medium-sized gull, currently classified as a subspecies of the Iceland Gull, known for its variable grey wingtip pattern. It breeds in the Canadian Arctic and winters further south to the North Atlantic coasts and the Great Lakes region.
Description and Identification:
Habitat and Range:
The Kumlien's gull breeds in the Arctic regions of Canada and migrates south for the winter.
Taxonomy:
The taxonomic classification of the Kumlien's gull has been a subject of ongoing debate among ornithologists. It has been considered a full species, a subspecies of the Thayer's gull, and a hybrid swarm. As of the 2017 classification by the American Ornithological Society, it is treated as a subspecies of the Iceland gull (Larus glaucoides), alongside the nominate Iceland gull (L. g. glaucoides) and Thayer's gull (L. g. thayeri). The variation in wingtip darkness is the primary difference used to distinguish the subspecies.
Description and Identification:
- The most distinguishing feature of the adult Kumlien's gull is the amount of grey pigment in its wingtips, which is highly variable. This ranges from nearly all white (like the nominate Iceland gull subspecies) to darker patterns resembling the Thayer's gull subspecies.
- Size: It is a medium-sized gull, typically smaller than the Herring gull and notably smaller-billed than the very large Glaucous gull.
- Plumage: The body plumage is generally pale, with adults having pale grey upperparts. Juveniles are a creamy-brown to grey-brown, becoming paler with age.
- Bill and Legs: All ages feature pink legs. Juveniles have a pink bill with a clearly demarcated dark tip.
- Call: Its call is described as a "laughing" cry, similar to the Herring gull's, but higher pitched.
Habitat and Range:
The Kumlien's gull breeds in the Arctic regions of Canada and migrates south for the winter.
- Breeding Grounds: Breeds on coasts and cliffs in the Canadian territories of Nunavut (including Baffin Island and Southampton Island) and northwest Quebec.
- Wintering Areas: It winters primarily along the eastern coast of North America, from Labrador south to New England and west across the Great Lakes. Small numbers are also regular winter visitors to Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Britain, and Ireland.
- Diet: Like most Larus gulls, it is an omnivore, scavenging and seeking small prey. They forage by flying and picking up food at the water's surface, or by walking/swimming.
Taxonomy:
The taxonomic classification of the Kumlien's gull has been a subject of ongoing debate among ornithologists. It has been considered a full species, a subspecies of the Thayer's gull, and a hybrid swarm. As of the 2017 classification by the American Ornithological Society, it is treated as a subspecies of the Iceland gull (Larus glaucoides), alongside the nominate Iceland gull (L. g. glaucoides) and Thayer's gull (L. g. thayeri). The variation in wingtip darkness is the primary difference used to distinguish the subspecies.