Ring-billed Gull

Ring-billed Gulls soared together riding the wind currents over the Horicon Marsh on Sunday afternoon.  Gulls are partial migrants. Some stay in the area and some migrate to the warmer coasts in the winter.

Ring-billed Gull Watches the Surface of the Horicon Marsh

The gulls took turns hovering briefly, a few feet above the surface of the marsh, looking for fish, frogs, and insects.

When they spotted a delicious morsel,  they plunged to the water, snatched their tasty treat, and took off. They often dropped their dinner and scooped it back up several times before eating it.

Tastes Like Chicken

This gull snaps up a frog from the water.

The gulls were quite vocal when they weren’t eating.

Herring Gull

The Herring Gull is content to watch the action from the slowly dissipating ice crust. His pink legs and the red spot on his bill distinguish him from the Ring-billed Gull with its yellow legs and black band around the bill. It takes two to four years to develop this beautiful gray and white plumage accented with a black tail and white tips.