Ring-billed Gull
Although Arizona is a landlocked state, gulls are surprisingly regular visitors, particularly near reservoirs, lakes, and landfills. Several species occur annually, mostly during fall and winter, when gulls disperse far inland from coastal breeding areas. The most frequently encountered species are Ring-billed Gulls, which are abundant winter residents on large bodies of water such as Lake Havasu, Lake Pleasant, and the Salt River reservoirs.
California Gulls are also common winter visitors and can be found mingling with Ring-billed Gulls. Slightly larger, with a heavier yellow bill marked by a red and black spot near the tip, California Gulls breed mostly around the Great Basin and migrate south into Arizona each winter. Less common but regularly recorded are Herring Gulls—large, pale-eyed gulls with pink legs and hefty bills—which occur in small numbers at lakes and landfills. Other occasional visitors include Bonaparte’s Gulls, dainty and graceful, which pass through on migration, as well as rarities such as Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, and even Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Gull identification in Arizona often challenges birders, especially when immature birds in various plumages appear together. Young gulls can look quite different from adults, showing mottled brown and streaky plumage that takes several years to mature. Observing gulls here requires patience and careful study, but it offers a fascinating glimpse into how adaptable these birds are—able to exploit reservoirs and urban environments far from their coastal strongholds. Their presence underscores Arizona’s importance as a wintering area and migratory stopover, even for species typically associated with ocean shores.