IID Keys: Very similar to Thayer's Gull,.
Pinkish legs, yellow-green bill with red spot, Very little dark grey on
primaries
The Iceland Gull is a pale
northern Gull, normally found in the Arctic in summer, and the northern Atlantic
coast in winter. It only actually occurs in Iceland during the winter
months. They are very closely related to the Thayer's
Gull, and many believe them to be slightly different races of the same
species. Iceland Gulls are typically found further east in North America,
while Thayer's Gulls are typically found
further west.
Habitat
Breeds on rocky cliffs in the
Arctic. During winter and migration, most are still found in coastal
regions, sometimes including the shores of the Great Lakes and other large
inland water bodies.
Diet
Primarily feeds on fish. Will
also feed on mollusks, crustaceans, eggs and young birds, berries, seeds,
carrion, and human refuse.
Behavior
Forages by either walking along the
ground, wading in shallow water, swimming on the water's surface, or dipping
down to the water's surface while in flight.
