[Image ID: Two pictures of gulls. The left is a European herring gull standing on the tip of a roof. The right is a common gull standing on rocks. /End ID]
The European herring gull (Larus argentatus) is a large gull that lives and breeds along the northern part of Europe. They typically measure 55-67 cm (22-26 in) in length and 125-155 cm (49-61 in) in wingspan. They have white underparts and head, light grey upperparts and wings with black tips and white "mirrors," yellow bill with red spot, and pink legs (though they can be yellowish instead). They eat crustaceans, carrion, and eggs and young of other birds. Despite their name, they do not have any special preference for herrings. They have been observed using pieces of bread as bait to catch goldfish, and rhythmically drumming their feet on the ground to create vibrations to drive worms to the surface.
The common gull (Larus canus) is a mid-sized gull that lives and breeds in northern Europe. They typically measure 40-46 cm (16-18 in) in length and 110-130 cm (43-51 in) in wignspan. They have white underparts and head, grey upperparts and wings with black tips and white "mirrors," yellow legs, and short greenish-yellow bill. They eat worms, insects, and fish as well as scavenge.
Herring gulls always look a bit aggressive, but then they also behave a bit aggressive. And they often try to eat things that seemed way too big for them, but manage anyway.
These collagraph prints by American artist, educator, and printer John Ross (1921-1917), made for the 1998 Birds of Manhattan, depict a few of the more common birds of that island against various architectural features of the city. It's sometimes easy to forget how biodiverse Manhattan is, particularly in bird life. Manhattan lies on the eastern route of the Atlantic flyway, so it receives many visitors as well as serving as a year-round residence for many species of birds.
The book, another donation form the estate of our late friend Dennis Bayuzick, was conceived, designed, illustrated and printed in an edition of 40 copies by John Ross at his East Hampton, New York High Tide Press in collaboration with relief aid officer and Greek and Latin scholar Lloyd Jonnes, who wrote the text. The binding, with its inset painted relief of a Cardinal, is by James D. Marcantonio at his Hope Bindery in Providence, R.I. This book was selected for the 1998 “50 Books / 50 Covers” by the American Institute for Graphic Arts in New York.
every single one of these are all different bird species and if you cant tell them apart YOU ARE STUPID .... now sit down and wait to get a rare bird alert for a seagull that's identical to every one you've seen before. and Your ass is going to have to buy a plane ticket if you think you're going to see a european herring gull in your pathetic lifetime. *spits on you*