Ross's gull Rhodostethia rosea

Identification Tips:

• Small gull
• Short black bill
• Wedge-shaped tail
• Large, dark eye

Adult alternate:

• Pale pink head and underparts
• Thin black ring around head
• Pale gray mantle
• Pale gray wings with white trailing edge
• Red legs
• White tail

Adult basic:

• Lacks pinkish cast to plumage
• Lacks black ring around head
• Grayish smudges on rear of head

Juvenile/First-year:

• Black ear spot
• Gray back
• Black outer primaries and carpal bar
• Black terminal tail band
• Dull pink legs

Similar species:

In alternate plumage, the pinkish cast to the plumage and black ring around the head are diagnostic. In basic plumage, note the evenly gray wings on both the upper and under surfaces and the wedge-shaped tail. In first-winter plumage the wedge-shaped tail is diagostic as is the small bill.