Gulls and Fish

Three types of gulls claim niches on the Halibut Point shoreline in winter. They have developed overlapping approaches to mastery of the air, land, and sea. Every day, balmy or stormy, they contend with each other for the necessities of survival.

The Great Black-backed Gull

The largest and most territorial of the gulls can give an eagle-like impression in size, plumage, and demeanor, particularly given both birds' proclivity for scavenging at the water's edge.

In the receding tide Great Black-backed gulls use their strong beaks to capture shellfish in rocky crevices. They defend these prizes vigorously.

The Herring Gull

Grey-winged Herring Gulls have an occupational presence similar to their larger relative, patrolling the shoreline and the ocean surface for anything edible.

Being smaller and more maneuverable than the Great Black-backed, they have their own edge in the search for food.

This one spotted a crab in water shallow enough for a plunging grab.

The Ring-billed Gull

Although they both have black-tipped grey wings the smaller Ring-billed Gull differentiates itself from the Herring Gull by spending most of its time on or over the water, with distinctive buoyancy.

Tern-like it stays alert for the opportunity of hunting fish on the wing. Better than its brawnier relations it can hover, twist and dive.

When big fish drive little ones to the surface the bird's moment materializes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Within reason, a Ring-billed Gull will go where the fish are.

It may have only a split second before an overhead pirate tries to grab its prize. The pirate will undoubtedly be another gull.