Which description matches the herring gull's ID?

• A. Large gull, pink legs, yellow bill with red spot
• B. Small gray bird with black cap
• C. White with orange feet
• D. Dark seabird with curved beak

Answer: (A)

The main thing to notice is the set of field marks that identify a herring gull: a large, conspicuous gull with pink legs and a yellow bill that carries a small red spot on the lower mandible. This combination—big size, pink legs, and a yellow bill with a red spot—is the classic descriptor for the herring gull and helps distinguish it from other seabirds seen along the Maine coast. The other options don’t fit: a small gray bird with a black cap points to a much smaller passerine or different species; white with orange feet isn’t typical for herring gulls, which have pink legs; and a dark seabird with a curved beak describes a different group altogether, not a gull.