Ring-billed Gull

It is said if you see a gull in Iowa, most likely it is the Ring-billed Gull. They will be seen in parking lots around fast food places, but also out in the country following tractors in the spring as the farmers till up the soil. The biggest numbers seen are at large sources of water where they eat fish and whatever else appeals to a gull. I enjoy trying to photograph them while they hover near the shoreline looking for a meal.

Unlike the other commenter, I've never seen them approach humans for food. Though wild, birds can be trained to a degree. If they were trained to recognize humans as providing food, the blame does not rest on the bird. Except for setting out similar foods that birds eat in the wild: nuts, seed, berries, etc., feeding them people food is not heal... read morethy in more ways than one. Even feeding yard birds come with risks if not done wisely.

The Ring-billed Gulls do not breed in Iowa, but will be seen during migration and possibly winter, as long as there is open water.

A common breeder in Michigan, they can be easily found in evey park, parking lot and golf course looking for hand-out. Be warned they don't take no for an answer, but it is a fine, locally, to feed the waterfowl.