Nov. 6, 2016 - Bonaparte's Gulls

At the end of September, my friend Shawn Conrad and I saw several groups of Bonaparte’s Gulls feeding along the shore of Lake Winnibigoshish (often referred to as Winnie.) These birds are migrating to their winter home along the coasts of the United States. Most people are surprised to learn that these gulls nest in trees. They choose conifer trees near boreal lakes and marshes in Alaska and across the middle of Canada. This photo and the next two were taken at Denny’s Resort in Cass County, MN.

GullBonepartesgroupflightDenny'sResortBena20160930

This is an adult Bonaparte’s Gull in non-breeding plumage. During the breeding season it would have a totally black head. At 13½ inches long, it is one of our smallest gulls.

GullBonepartesDenny'sResortBena20160930

When seen in flight, the adult Bonaparte’s Gull shows a completely white tail and black tips on the outer wing feathers.

GullBonepartesflightDenny'sResortBena20160930

A juvenile Bonaparte’s Gull in flight shows an interesting feather pattern. It has more extensive black on the feather tips and a brown spotted pattern across the wing. This photo and the next one were taken along the northeastern shore of Lake Winnie in Itasca County, MN.

GullBonepartesjuvenileflightWilliamsNarrowsItascaCounty20160930

Here’s another look at the beautiful wing pattern on a juvenile Bonaparte’s Gull.

GullBonepartesjuvenileflightWilliamsNarrowsItascaCounty20160930

The Mississippi River flows through Lake Winnie; there is a dam at the outlet from the lake. Bonaparte’s Gulls were flying around the output side of the dam, probably picking off fish that were stunned after going through the dam. Notice the black tip of the tail compared to the entirely white tail of the adult shown above.

GullBonepartesjuvenileflightWinnieDamItascaCounty20160930

This juvenile gull has more brown on its neck and back than the bird in the previous photo. That indicates it hasn’t completed its molt into winter plumage.

GullBonepartesjuvenileflightWinnieDamItascaCounty20160930

At Denny’s Resort we saw one Rock Pigeon. This is, of course, a very common bird. However, with the blurred fall colors in the background I thought this made a pretty nice photo.

PigeonRockDenny'sResortBena20160930