Guide to North American Birds
Family Gulls and Terns
Common along the coastlines of eastern Asia, this gull has wandered to western Alaska a few times. Isolated birds have been found at a wide variety of other sites from coast to coast in North America. Although these far-flung strays may have been assisted in their arrival, perhaps resting on ships for part of their journey, they also might have wandered there on their own.

Photo Gallery

Illustration © David Allen Sibley.
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Text © Kenn Kaufman, adapted from
Lives of North American Birds

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Songs and Calls

Seldom vocalizes as a vagrant. Gives a "kaoo-kaoo" call.
Audio © Lang Elliott, Bob McGuire, Kevin Colver, Martyn Stewart and others.
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