Bird Finder for March 21: Mew Gull

Mew Gull
Larus canus

by Andy Griswold
Director of the Connecticut Audubon Society’s EcoTravel program
The smallest of the “white-headed” gulls in North America, the Mew Gull

is not a species commonly found in Connecticut. Its more typical range, close to us, is in Europe where the subspecies is called the Common Gull, and along the United States west coast where the subspecies is referred to as the Short-billed Gull. The European subspecies has been recorded for Connecticut in recent years, but the American subspecies has not — until now.

Where to find it: Both were observed at Hammonasset Beach State Park on Sunday by Nick Bonomo, one of our very talented EcoTravel leaders and a regular Bird Finder contributor.

If you go, head east (left) at the park’s rotary and drive to Meig’s Point, the furthest part of the park. The two birds were seen among the plankton-feeding gull flock.

Check to Connecticut Ornithological Society’s daily listing before you go.

What it looks like: David Sibley in his Guide to Birds does a fine job of separating the two subspecies and comparing them to the similar Ring-billed Gull. The first clue that you are not looking at the familiar Ring-billed should be the “delicate” appearance, extensive brown smudginess around the head and neck, and the dark eye that makes Mew Gull look like it has used mascara. Both Mew Gull subspecies are darker backed than Ring-billed.

Successfully telling the two Mew Gull subspecies apart in the field will depend heavily on how close you are to them and lighting conditions. Both birds at Hammonasset are presumed to be adults so pay special attention to any markings across the nape and back, and if there are any dark markings on the tertials. Study your Sibley Guide before you go.

Other birds to look for: Keep an eye out for Bonaparte’s Gull, Little Gull, Black-headed Gull, and other early spring vagrants. Hammonasset is undoubtedly one of the top five birding sites in the state.

Conservation status: Mew Gull is not considered a species of conservation concern because of its large population and an extremely large global distribution. None the less, it is a special bird for Connecticut!

Mew Gull photo by Dick Daniels, Carolinabirds.org