Adult nonbreeding. Note: bright pink legs, more rounded head, less pronounced gonydeal angle, dark eye.
© Jeff Poklen
  • Adult nonbreeding. Note: bright pink legs, more rounded head, less pronounced gonydeal angle, dark eye.
  • Adult in flight. Note: pale tips under primaries (darker on Herring).
  • Juvenile
  • Immature (2nd year)

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Thayer's Gull

Larus thayeri
Charadriiformes
This is a large and highly varied group of birds that do not have many outward similarities. Most are water birds that feed on invertebrates or small aquatic creatures. The order is well represented in Washington, with seven families:
Laridae
The family Laridae is made up of birds closely associated with water. Distributed throughout the world, representatives of this family nest on every continent, including Antarctica. Most are long-lived birds, many of which do not breed until they are three or four years old. Most are colony nesters and nest on the ground. Clutch size is generally small, varying from one to four eggs. Both parents incubate the eggs and help feed the young. The young typically hatch covered with down and stay in the nest for a few days, after which they leave the nest but stay nearby. Most, especially in Washington, raise a single brood a year. This group is known for its elaborate displays in the air and on the ground.

The Washington representatives of this family can be split into two groups, or subfamilies. The adaptable gulls are the most familiar. Sociable in all seasons, they are mainly coastal, but a number of species also nest inland. Many—but not all—are found around people. Gulls have highly variable foraging techniques and diets. Terns forage in flight, swooping to catch fish or insects. They dive headfirst into the water for fish. Although they are likely to be near water, they spend less time swimming than gulls.
Fairly common winter resident.

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    General Description

    The Thayer's Gull is a large gull, with typical gull-like plumage. Until 1972, it was considered a subspecies of Herring Gull, but is once again classified as a full species. The adult is solid slate-gray on its backs and wings, with black on the outer edges of the wings. The undersides of the wings are pale. The trailing edge of the wing is white, and the legs are pink. White in the breeding season, its head is brown and dirty-looking in the non-breeding season. Immature birds sport a variety of plumages with varying degrees of mottled brown and white mixed with adult plumage characteristics. Thayer's Gulls mature in four years.

    Habitat

    During the breeding season, Thayer's Gulls inhabit the Canadian high Arctic, nesting on rocky coastlines of islands. In winter, they can be found around bodies of water near the coast, including estuaries and protected bays. They also spend time far offshore, on freshwater ponds, and garbage dumps near the coast.

    Behavior

    Thayer's Gulls forage while swimming, walking, or flying. When foraging in flight, they drop to the water's surface or plunge just below it.

    Diet

    Omnivores, Thayer's Gulls eat small fish, crustaceans, mollusks, carrion, eggs, young birds, and garbage.

    Nesting

    The breeding characteristics of the Thayer's Gull are not well known. They probably start breeding at four years of age. Typical of gulls, they nest in colonies, often mixed with other gull species. The nest is located on the ledge of a rocky island cliff. Both sexes help build the nest, which is a low mound of plant material, matted down in the middle. The female usually lays 2, or occasionally 3, eggs, and both sexes help incubate the eggs and feed the young. Incubation and fledging periods are not known.

    Migration Status

    Most Thayer's Gulls nest in the central Canadian Arctic and move southwest to the Pacific coast in winter. The main migration of Thayer's Gulls through Washington in the fall occurs in September, with wintering numbers peaking in December and January. Washington and southern British Columbia are the core of their winter range. They begin leaving for their Arctic breeding grounds in late March, and by May, most are gone from our area.

    Conservation Status

    The nesting range of the Thayer's Gull has been protected from human impact due to its remoteness. No obvious population trends have been observed although more study is needed. There is still debate about whether the Thayer's Gull is truly a separate species, or if it is a subspecies of Iceland Gull. Some estimates have placed the breeding population at 8,000-12,000 birds, while others claim it is much greater, underestimated due to misidentification.

    When and Where to Find in Washington

    Thayer's Gulls are regular migrants and winter residents in Washington from October to March in offshore, coastal, and the Puget Trough regions. They are uncommon in April and early May, and are usually absent from mid-May until September. In winter, they can also be seen around the lower Columbia River and the Willamette Valley. The Port of Tacoma area and Ediz Hook at Port Angeles are excellent places to look for Thayer's Gulls. Agricultural areas and garbage dumps are good inland spots to look for them. In late February and early March, hundreds are attracted to the smelt runs on the lower Columbia River.

    Abundance Code DefinitionsAbundance

    C=Common; F=Fairly Common; U=Uncommon; R=Rare; I=Irregular
    EcoregionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
    OceanicUUUU UUU
    Pacific Northwest CoastUUUU RUUU
    Puget TroughFFFUR RUUF
    North Cascades
    West CascadesRR RR
    East Cascades RR
    Okanogan
    Canadian Rockies
    Blue Mountains
    Columbia PlateauRR RR

    Washington Range Map

    North American Range Map

    North America map legend

    Family Members

    Federal Endangered Species ListAudubon/American Bird Conservancy Watch ListState Endangered Species ListAudubon Washington Vulnerable Birds List

    View full list of Washington State's Species of Special Concern