White Gesticulating Gull Splashing Water
© Roberto Moiola/Sysaworld/Moment/Getty Images
A gesticulating gull
We're not sure if this European herring gull is conducting a symphony, describing the size of a fish that got away, or just shaking the water off its wings. In fact, there's a lot that's unsure about the Larus genus of seabirds. Because these gulls breed in a ring pattern circling the Northern Hemisphere, scientists disagree on whether European, American, and Asian gull populations are distinct species or subspecies. Whatever their taxonomy, just make sure you close your beach basket when you see these birds about.
Atlantic Puffin
Young brown and white swan swimming at sunset
Northern Gannets courtship
Two Atlantic Puffins
Paired Razorbills on rock
Common Merganser
Indian Spot-billed Duck flapping
Perching Atlantic Puffins
