Gulls and Terns of North America - Page 2

The gulls are one of the most familiar groups of birds in temperate regions, and also one of the most difficult to identify, in many cases. Together with the terns and skimmers of warmer climates, they comprise the family Laridae, within the order Charadriiformes. The superficially similar skuas and jaegers - which nest in polar regions and are highly pelagic otherwise - were formerly grouped in the Laridae, but now are placed in the separate family Stercorariidae. This list includes all members of these two families that nest in North America north of Mexico, as well a few that don't but that are regular visitors to the area (such as Yellow-footed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls).