A Flock of Seagulls

 

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis).
Lake Norman, North Carolina. 

Seagull.  The word causes birders to cringe.  Birders will tell you, that while the sea has many gulls, not all gulls are at sea.  Gulls can be found just about anywhere there is water. Oceans, lakes, rivers, marshes, bays.  Speaking of bays, if seagulls fly over the sea, what flies over a bay?  Bay gulls… bagels… get it? 

A mixed flock of  gulls.
Horry County Landfill, South Carolina. 

Gulls thrive all over the world.  You can find them from the Arctic Ocean to the fringes of Antarctica and most spots in between.  They range in size from the aptly named Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus) with their 24-inch wingspan, to the gigantic Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) that is a whopping 5-feet from wing tip to wing tip. Gulls are omnivorous taking whatever food is at hand.  They are equally at home snatching fish from the surface of the ocean to rummaging around a landfill eating discarded pizza crusts.  Some gulls make their living stealing food from other birds like terns.  

Immature Ring-billed Gulls.
Lake Norman, North Carolina. 

Gulls are generally white in color.  Many have gray or black on their backs and upper wing surface, the mantle. As adults, larger gulls usually have white heads, but many species of small gulls have black heads, at least during the breeding season.   Gulls generally have a heavy beak, and all have webbed feet. They can happily paddle on the surface of the water but they do not dive. The plumage of immature gulls often differs widely from the adults.  Large gulls generally take four years to reach the adult plumage, and each year have a different appearance.  Smaller gulls reach maturity in two or three years with a distinct plumage at each stage.  Gulls have a fierce look in their eyes and are graceful, elegant flyers. 

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus).
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. 

The Great Black-backed Gull is the largest gull in the world.  This gull is found from northwestern Europe across the northern Atlantic including Iceland and Greenland and down the east coast of North America. In the adult form this four-year gull has a black mantle, white body and pink legs.  Adult Great Black-backed Gulls have yellow beaks with a red spot on the lower mandible. We will return to the red spot in a couple of minutes. Great Black-backed Gulls are expanding their range south along the Atlantic coast of the United States and into the Great Lakes.  They now breed on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus).
Palm Beach County, Florida. 

Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus) are slightly smaller than Great Black-backed Gulls.  They are also a four-year gull, but their mantle is dark gray rather than rich black and their legs are yellow.   Lesser Black-backed Gulls are abundant in Eurasia and have recently become more common in North America, particularly in winter.  

Adult Herring Gull (Larus argentatus).
Dare County, North Carolina. 

Immature Herring Gull.
Lake Norman, North Carolina. 

Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) are slightly smaller than Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  These white-headed, gray-mantled, yellow-legged gulls mature in four years and also have a yellow beak with a red spot.  This spot plays an important role in four-year gulls raising their chicks. The young gulls peck at the red spot on the parent's beak and this stimulates the adult to feed their baby.  The Dutch ornithologist Niko Tinbergen did important experiments with Herring Gulls in the 1940s and demonstrated this behavior is instinctual rather than learned.  For this and other research, Tinbergen shared the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.   

Adult Ring-billed Gull.
Palm Beach County, Florida. 

Ring-billed Gull in flight.
Lake Norman, North Carolina.

Ring-billed Gulls in a Walmart parking lot.
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis) are the most common gulls in our area. They are three-year gulls and adults have a gray mantle, yellow legs and a yellow beak with a black ring near the tip.  Ring-billed Gulls breed in Canada and the northern United States and winter in the south from coast to coast.  Every fall around Thanksgiving Ring-billed Gulls show up in our local Walmart parking lot and feed on scraps left by shoppers.   

Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) in breeding plumage.
Palm Beach County, Florida. 

Laughing Gull in winter plumage.
Palm Beach County, Florida. 

Laughing Gulls (Leucophaeus atricilla) are three -year gulls and are smaller than Ring-billed Gulls.  They have a black head, gray mantle, broken white eye ring and red beak during the breeding season. In winter Laughing Gulls have a mostly white head with gray at the back.  The name Laughing Gull comes from their maniacal laugh-like call.  They are found on the Atlantic and Gulf Coast of the United States and further south into Mexico, Central America, northern South America and the Caribbean. 

Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
in winter plumage. This species has a white wedge on the wing.
Rowan County, North Carolina.  

Bonaparte's Gull in winter.
Lake Norman, North Carolina. 

Bonaparte's Gulls looking for a meal stirred
 up by a Common Loon (Gavia immer).
Lake Norman, North Carolina. 

Bonaparte’s Gulls (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) are small two-year gulls with a black head and light gray mantle. They have a buoyant, tern-like flight and show a white wedge on the wing in flight. These gulls breed in Canada and winter in the southern United States.  In winter they lack the black head but have a dark smudge behind the eye. Gulls are unable to dive in beneath the surface of the water, but Bonaparte’s Gulls have an interesting feeding strategy that gets around this limitation.  Small flocks of Bonaparte’s Gulls often follow Common Loons (Gavia immer) which are excellent divers.  When Loons dive, they can chase small fish to the surface where the opportunistic Bonaparte’s Gulls can scoop them up. 

Little gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus).
Lake Norman, North Carolina. 

The Little Gull is the smallest gull in the world and is native to Eurasia and North America.  They breed on freshwater lakes and winter at sea. Little gulls have a black head in summer, but in winter, like Bonaparte’s Gull, they have a white head with a black smudge behind the eye.  The most striking thing about Little Gulls, besides their size, is the underside of the wings are black.  A Little Gull showed up in December on Lake Norman in North Carolina.  This rarity was around for the Christmas Bird Count and stayed a few days so quite a few local birders got to see it.    

This rare Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) put in an
appearance at the Horry County Landfill in South Carolina.

Slaty-backed Gull and Ring-billed Gull.
Horry County Landfill, South Carolina. 

Sometimes a vagrant gull makes an appearance in our area.  Slaty-backed Gulls (Larus schistisagus) are native to northeastern Asia but often stray to Alaska and other spots in North America.  It is a four-year gull with a white head, a slate-gray mantle and pink legs.  A couple of years ago a Slaty-backed Gull showed up at the Horry County Landfill near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We traveled to the landfill with friends seeking this rare gull.  It seemed unlikely we could pick the Slaty-backed Gull out among the thousands of other gulls, but we followed directions from friendly dump employees and within 10 minutes we saw the Slaty-backed Gull perched on the trash heaps with other gulls.  It may seem odd to say, but the Slaty-backed Gull looked quite elegant standing in that dump.

Immature Heermann's Gull (Larus heermanni).
Palm Beach County, Florida.

Heermann’s Gulls (Larus heermanni) are three-year gulls normally found along the west coast of North America, from southern British Columbia to Mexico.   Most of the Heermann’s Gulls breed on islands in the Gulf of California with a small colony near Monterey, California.  Adult Heermann’s Gulls are gray with a white head and a red beak.  Immature Heermann’s Gulls are dark gray, brown with a black-tipped beak.  These west coast specialties sometimes stray east.  We found an immature Heermann’s Gulls on the beach at Lake Worth, Florida one New Year’s Eve. This bird was 2500 miles from home but doing quite well among the gulls on a Florida beach.     

A flock Ring-billed Gulls and a single Herring Gull
preparing to roost on the water.
Lake Norman, North Carolina. 

Gulls have a bad reputation among some people.  Less appreciative folks call them “rats with wings”.  This name may come from their habit of hanging around dumps.  However, it is people who have given gulls an endless supply of food with our landfills as well as artificial beaches in the form of parking lots where they can congregate.  On the positive side gulls, like many scavengers, perform essential ecosystem services by eating what humans consider waste.  Another thing that has contributed to the poor perception of gulls is Alfred Hitchcock’s film The Birds. In this well know story, birds including shrieking flocks of gulls, begin to attack and kill people in a coastal California town. While I don’t really root for the birds in that movie, I think I understand their motivation.

Gulls at sunset.
Lake Norman, North Carolina. 

 

Cherry, Bee, Fungus, Lichen

Flowers of East Asian Cherry (Prunus serrulata).
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

We have a venerable East Asian Cherry (Prunus serrulata) in our back yead.  It leafs out and flowers early each spring.  It is also the first tree in our yard to lose its leaves in the fall.  By the first week of March its branches are laden with thousands of pink flowers.  These in turn attract swarms of Honeybees (Apis mellifera) and other early pollinators.  On sunny spring days the tree is abuzz with the bees.  The tree also attracts birds throughout the year feeding on the abundance of insects there.  But other, more subtle forms of life are also in the cherry.

Video of Honeybees (Apis mellifera) visiting

East Asian Cherry in the spring.

Rowan County, North Carolina. 

Video by Diane Coggin.

A Honeybee pollinating East Asian Cherry.
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) feeding amidst 
the flowers of East Asian Cherry.
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

A winter storm blew through our neighborhood last week dumping two and a half inches of rain, knocking out the power for 12 hours and dropping untold numbers of sticks and branches into our yard.  One of these branches, from our East Asian Cherry, was encrusted with fungi and lichens.   

The most colorful of these fungi was Witch’s Butter (Tremella mesenterica).  This bright yellow blob was emerging from cracks in the bark.  The Witch’s Butter fungus breaks down dead wood, so this branch was dead while still attached to the tree. 

Witch's Butter (Tremella mesenterica)
emerging from the branch.
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

Giraffe fungus (Peniophora albobadia) is another wood decaying fungus that made a striking display on the branch.  It makes brown patches rimmed by white, much like the spots on a Giraffe (Giraffa sp). 

Giraffe Fungus (Peniophora albobadia)
growing on the branch.
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

At least three different lichens were also on the branch.  Lichens are symbiotic organisms made up of a fungus and a photosynthetic alga.  A single, one-inch clump of Usnea strigosa, Beard Lichen, was on the branch.  This lichen grows about 1 inch per year, so the branch was probably dead for at least a year before it was blown from the tree in the storm. 

Beard Lichen (Usnea strigosa).
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

There were several clumps of the foliose lichen Parmotrema perforatum on the branch.  This gray green lichen has a leaf-like structure with black filaments called cilia along its margins.  These cilia probably act to catch dew for the rootless lichen.

Parmotrema perforatum with cilia.
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

Several Common Button Lichens (Buellia erubescens) were growing on the branch.  This is a crustose lichen that grows tightly appressed to the bark of trees.  Common Button Lichens are light gray with black spore producing structures called apothecia. 

Common Button Lichen (Buellia erubescens).
Rowan County, North Carolina.  

Even in winter, when we think not nothing is happening in a tree, much is still going on.  It is a wonder that a single dead branch from a cherry tree could play host to so many different fungi.  But visual examination only scratches the surface of this diversity because most fungi are microscopic. This branch, blown from a tree by a storm, is an inspiration to look closely at the natural world.

Trumpet Creepers and Catbriers

 

Spines on the stem of Smilax sp.
Rowan County, North Carolina.

Vines has been much on my mind of late.  Last month I wrote about Grape Vines, in September Kudzu, and Poison Ivy in 2020. I will continue this theme with Greenbrier (Smilax sp.) and Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) in this blog.

Smilax rotundifolia showing leaves, spines and tendrils.
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

Leaf of Smilax bona-nox.
Palm Beach County, Florida. 

There are over 300 species of Smilax worldwide with a mainly tropical distribution, but some species are found in temperate areas.  North America has about 20 species of Greenbrier and Europe has 4. Smilax vines may be woody in older sections, but the stems are mostly green, hence the name Greenbrier.  Many species of Smilax have hooked spines on the stem giving rise to another common name, Catbrier.  I have walked through tangles of Smilax vines and come out with so many scratches that I looked like the loser in a cat fight. These spiny tangles provide small animals shelter from predators. Smilax spines and tendrils also help the vine clamber over other plants.    

Smilax auriculata with male flowers.
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

Female flowers of Smilax rotundifolia.
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

Greenbriers have separate male and female plants and their greenish-white flowers appear in spring.  The female Smilax produces dark purple or red berries that are favorites of birds.  While hiking along the southern coast of France we found Mediterranean Smilax (Smilax aspera) with brilliant red berries. Greenbriers have underground stems, the rhizomes, that contain starch and were used by Native Americans as an important food source.  The growing tips of the Smilax vines are edible too, resembling asparagus.   

Smilax rotunifolia fruits.
Rowan County, North Carolina.

Mediterranean Smilax (Smilax aspera) leaves and flowers.
Cap Bear, France.

Fruits of Mediterranean Smilax
Cap Bear, France. 

Trumpet Creeper is a robust woody vine native to eastern North America.  This vine can grow up tree trunks into the forest canopy, or up cliffs or buildings to reach heights of over 30 feet. It has large compound leaves and produces brilliant orange, tubular flowers in summer.  

Leaves of Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans)
growing on a wall.
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

Flowers of Trumpet Creeper.
Clarke County, Georgia.

Trumpet Creeper fruit.
Davidson County, North Carolina.

Ripe Trumpet Creeper fruit showing seeds.
Davidson County, North Carolina. 

Winged seeds of Trumpet Creeper.
Davidson County, North Carolina.

Trumpet Creeper flowers are an important nectar source for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris). The fruits of Trumpet Creeper are about six inches long and in the fall, they release small, winged seeds.  Trumpet Creeper is widely planted in gardens and will grow on trellises and up walls. We have a Trumpet Creeper growing next to the chimney of our house where its short roots attach the vine to the bricks. 

Trumpet Creeper growing on a cliff.
Davidson County, North Carolina.

Trumpet Creeper growing up a wall. 

Rowan County, North Carolina. 

Trumpet Creeper roots attached to a brick wall.
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

Greenbrier and Trumpet Creeper are important sources of food and shelter for wildlife. But beyond that, these vines are beautiful and interesting members of the floral kingdom.

Smilax sp spines.
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

 

 

Encounters with the Snakebird

 

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) sunning.
Green Cay Wetlands, Palm  Beach County, Florida. 

If I had grown up in Peoria or Palo Alto, Snakebirds would not have been in my history.   But I spent my formative years in Pompano Beach, Florida and Snakebirds were part of the landscape.  I saw them in the canals, rock pits and the Everglades of my youth.  Anhinga is their proper name, but my father called them Snakebird or Water Turkey.  

Female Anhinga.
Green Cay Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida. 

Anhingas are odd birds with odd names.  The name Anhinga comes from the Tepu language of Brazil meaning “Devil Bird”.  The nomenclature gets even more interesting when considering the bird’s scientific name, Anhinga anhinga.  Notice both the genus and species names are the same.  This is what is called a tautonym in the world of taxonomy.  While tautonyms are prohibited in botanical nomenclature they are allowed in animals.  Many common animals, like the American Bison (Bison bison) and Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), sport tautonyms.  To make things even more complicated there are three other species of Anhinga found around the world, but they are not called Anhingas, they are named Darters.

Male Anhinga preening.
Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida. 

Female Anhinga.
Huntington Beach State Park, South Carolina. 

Anhingas are large, dark water birds with a long neck, webbed feet and dagger-like beaks. Male Anhingas are black with silver feathers on the back and wings.  Female and immature Anhingas are brown with light brown heads and necks.  Both sexes have long fan-like tails tipped with brown that resemble those of Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo).  Anhingas swim underwater where they feed on fish and other small animals they impale on their sharp beaks.  They often swim with just their S-shaped neck above the surface of the water.  This habit led to the common name, Snakebird.

Anhinga swimming with its snake-like neck above water.
Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida. 

Anhingas are denizens of southern swamps, but their range extends south into Mexico, Central American, some Caribbean islands and South America.  My records show we have encountered Anhingas 119 times.  Most of the observations have been in Florida but we have seen Anhingas in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Texas. We have also found them in the American tropics of Belize, Costa Rica and Panama.  Since Anhingas are often found in warm locales they need ways to keep deal with the heat.  Swimming is one way to cool off but Anhingas can also flutter the gular pouch on their necks to dissipate heat, much like a dog panting. 

Anhinga swimming with its body submerged. 
Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida.

Video of a male Anhinga cooling off by gular fluttering.

Green Cay Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida. 

On our trips to Florida, we will often see an Anhinga perched on a branch drying its wings in the sun. Most waterbirds apply oil to their feathers to waterproof them and promote buoyancy.  The oil is produced by the bird’s uropygial or preen gland at the base of the tail.  Preening cleans the feathers, removes parasites and oils the feathers.  But Anhingas have vestigial uropygial glands that produces little oil, so their feathers take up water as they swim.  While this helps them stay underwater, Anhingas must dry their feathers before flying again.    

Anhinga sunning.  Its uropygial gland is visible just above the base of the tail.
Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida.

Anhinga in flight.
Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida.

Anhingas are quite elegant on the wing. We see them soaring on high on thermals where they look like a flying cross with their long wings, neck and tail.  Anhingas build nests of loose sticks where they raise their broods of dinosaurian babies.  The young Anhingas start with a coat of white down that is gradually replaced by darker feathers.  Young Anhingas feed by sticking their sharp beaks down the parent's throats, a dangerous looking exercise.  

Young Anhinga on nest. 
Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida. 

Parent feeding a juvenile Anhinga. 
Green Cay Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida. 

Video of adult Anhinga feeding baby.

Green Cay Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida. 

The Anhinga is another species that is extending its range and increasing its population due to climate change.  In the 1800s Anhingas in the United States were limited to coastal regions of the Southeast.  Wilmington, North Carolina was the northern limit of the Anhinga nesting range in the 19^th century and they were rarely seen on the Piedmont.  Now Anhingas breed throughout the Southeast and are reported in summer from New York to Oklahoma. More locations in the northern United States can expect Snakebirds in their future.  Anhingas are so distinctive, with their snaky neck and turkey tails, they always impress wherever they are found. 

Anhinga.
Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida.