Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Bonaparte's Gull

 Juvenile Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicephalus philadelphia) 

A few Bonaparte's Gulls have left their boreal forest breeding grounds - the ONLY gulls that build nests in tree - and have headed south. Some will spend the winter in areas near Lakes Ontario and  Erie, and the southern tip of Lake Michigan, but others will head further south to places such as Texas, Mexico and Cuba.

Soon this gull will have a white head with a black dot like the juvenile in the first photo

When breeding they eat mostly insects, but here they are feasting on  large invertebrates and small fish. They DO NOT eat garbage or carrion as some other gulls do.

Adult (on right) in breeding plumage

I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE
at

24 comments:

  1. chicaAugust 18, 2015 at 5:11 AM

    Muito lindas fotos! bjs, chica

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  2. Amy at love made my homeAugust 18, 2015 at 5:19 AM

    Very interesting birds indeed! xx

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  3. RevrunnerAugust 18, 2015 at 5:32 AM

    A cut above your average garbage-collecting seagull. :-)

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  4. jp@A Green RidgeAugust 18, 2015 at 5:50 AM

    They look much classier than the regular beach gulls...:)JP

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  5. 4 Lettre WordsAugust 18, 2015 at 6:05 AM

    Awww...he seems so proud!

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  6. eileeninmdAugust 18, 2015 at 7:01 AM

    Pretty captures of the gulls, I have not begun to try to id the gulls. Just the juvenile gulls are confusing to me. Have a happy day!

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  7. diane bAugust 18, 2015 at 8:28 AM

    Love the last shot with the reflections.

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  8. ShammickiteAugust 18, 2015 at 8:53 AM

    What a funny looking gull!

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  9. MadSnapperAugust 18, 2015 at 9:02 AM

    amazing reflection shot. love it... and they are certainly much more handsome that the Other Bonaparte

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  10. RoseAugust 18, 2015 at 9:11 AM

    Not a bird I have ever seen...but they are gorgeous.

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  11. 21 WitsAugust 18, 2015 at 10:38 AM

    Beautiful birds, and not one I knew about.

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  12. StephanieAugust 18, 2015 at 10:47 AM

    Great shots!

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  13. William KendallAugust 18, 2015 at 11:02 AM

    They certainly are distinctive!

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  14. LowellAugust 18, 2015 at 12:43 PM

    Good-looking birds. I don't recall seeing any down here but for me I think a gull is a gull is a gull and I'd probably not notice any particular kind.

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  15. Silver ParrotAugust 18, 2015 at 2:09 PM

    Very interesting gulls - I don't think we have them here so nice to see a different type.

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  16. Margaret Birding For PleasureAugust 18, 2015 at 2:19 PM

    It was great to see the juv. as well as the adult and the relfections were wonderful

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  17. BirdmanAugust 18, 2015 at 4:42 PM

    Napoleon would be so proud!

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  18. mickAugust 18, 2015 at 6:39 PM

    Great photos of the gulls with the different plumage.

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  19. GreenComotionAugust 18, 2015 at 6:59 PM

    Who wouldn't want a family name like that?
    The 3rd photo, with the reflection in the water is A+!
    Have a Happy Week, Tina!
    Peace :)

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  20. KayAugust 18, 2015 at 11:20 PM

    You had my attention at "boreal forest breeding grounds." What an interesting and amazing gull and I so admire their more refined eating habits. I love all the different birds you introduce!

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  21. Adam JonesAugust 19, 2015 at 4:10 AM

    Very smart looking gulls, and I've learnt some interesting facts about them. :-)

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  22. LeaAugust 19, 2015 at 9:54 AM

    I'll be watching to see if they come through here (northeast Mississippi) on their way farther south. We often see gulls just north of us on the Tennessee River.

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  23. A Colorful WorldAugust 19, 2015 at 7:02 PM

    Great shots!

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  24. Wally JonesAugust 21, 2015 at 3:54 PM

    Nice post on this beautiful gull! I love watching them hover and "pluck" a meal from the water's surface instead of a headlong crash like other gulls.

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