25 inches long. 58 inch wingspan. The Herring Gull is a large sized gull. It takes four years to reach full adult plumage. Until that time it is highly variable especially during the first and second years. Adults have a bright yellow bill with a red spot near the lower tip of the bill. The eyes are pale and the legs and feet are pink. On adult spring birds the head neck, breast, tail, and belly are white. The back and upperwings are pale gray. The primaries are black with white tips and white spots on the outer primaries. Adults develop heavy streaking on the head and neck during the winter. Immature gulls are very complex and it is best to consult a field guide for help identifying immature Herring Gulls.
The Herring Gull is an uncommon migrant through the Omaha area. It may be seen flying over the Forest from mid February through mid May in the spring and again from September through December in the fall.
The Herring Gull is the most familar gull seen in eastern North America. It is primarily found around large bodies of water in the winter and on the East Coast.
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