Bonaparte’s Gull

Chroicocephalus philadelphia

Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of North America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Alberta Birds of British Columbia Birds of Manitoba Birds of New Brunswick Birds of Newfoundland and Labrador Birds of Nova Scotia Birds of Northwest Territories Birds of Nunavut Birds of Ontario Birds of Prince Edward Island

By family

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Alberta Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of British Columbia Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Manitoba Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of New Brunswick Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Newfoundland and Labrador Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Nova Scotia Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Northwest Territories Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Nunavut Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Ontario Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Prince Edward Island

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The Bonaparte’s Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) is a member of the Laridae family found in North America. Adults weigh 211 g.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Gulls, Terns, Skimmers
Genus Chroicocephalus
Species philadelphia

Where it lives

Boreal forest zone from southwestern Alaska mainland and northwestern, southwestern Canada to eastern Quebec (southeastern Canada)

North America

Quick facts

Weight: 211 g
Diet: Omnivores
Family: Laridae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Vulnerable

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Bonaparte’s Gull is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.

Migration

The Bonaparte’s Gull is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The Bonaparte’s Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) is a member of the Laridae family, within the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans North America. Its distribution covers NA boreal forest zone from sw Alaska mainland and nw, sw Canada to e Quebec (se Canada).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 211 g, with a wing length of about 25.9 cm and a tail of around 9.6 cm.

Songs & calls

Bonaparte’s Gull — Alarm call, call, flight call, song

Recorded by Stanislas Wroza Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Bonaparte’s Gull?

The Bonaparte’s Gull is a large bird that weighs around 211 g.

Where does the Bonaparte’s Gull live?

The Bonaparte’s Gull is found across North America with a range covering NA boreal forest zone from sw Alaska mainland and nw, sw Canada to e Quebec (se Canada), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Bonaparte’s Gull belong to?

The Bonaparte’s Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Bonaparte’s Gull eat?

The Bonaparte’s Gull is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Does the Bonaparte’s Gull migrate?

The Bonaparte’s Gull is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

What sound does the Bonaparte’s Gull make?

1 real field recording of the Bonaparte’s Gull — including its alarm call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.