I photographed this Ring-billed Gull as it grabbed a fish right in front of an American White Pelican. The action happened fast, and the gull managed to snag its meal before the pelican could close the distance. I took this photo on the Arkansas River at the Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam in Oklahoma.
Ring-billed Gull Fish Behavior
Ring-billed Gulls are quick feeders. They can spot fish near the surface and dive or snag them before larger birds react. I watched this gull come in low across the water. The pelican was swimming nearby, but the gull got to the fish first.
These gulls are common at Kerr Dam during winter. They mix with pelicans, cormorants, and other waterbirds. The cold December morning made the birds more visible against the soft blue water. Gulls don’t always compete directly with pelicans, but when a fish appears, speed wins.
Ring-billed Gulls can be identified by the dark band around their yellow bill. Their gray wings and white body make them easy to pick out on the water. I have seen them feeding here throughout the colder months. For more Ring-billed Gull action at this location, see A Ring-billed Gull Zeroing In On A Shad post.
Photography Notes
I used my Canon EOS R5 Mark II with the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM lens. Settings were f/9, 1/3200 second, ISO 1250, at 800mm focal length. The fast shutter speed froze the action as the gull grabbed the fish.
I shot from the shore at Kerr Dam. The low angle kept me close to the bird’s eye level. Morning light was soft and even. The blue water provided clean separation between the gull and pelican.
The gull moved fast. I tracked it as it came in and fired a burst when it grabbed the fish. The pelican’s position in the frame added context without cluttering the shot.
Image Information
- Camera: Canon EOS R5 Mark II
- Lens: Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM
- Aperture: f/9
- Shutter Speed: 1/3200 second
- ISO: 1250
- Focal Length: 800 mm
- Exposure Compensation: 0
Watching Gulls and Pelicans
The pelican didn’t seem bothered by the gull’s catch. It kept swimming and continued searching for its own fish. Pelicans use cooperative feeding techniques, while gulls are opportunistic. Both strategies work, and moments like this show how different species share the same water.
I have photographed pelicans at Kerr Dam catching fish too. See my Unique Fishing Tactics of American White Pelicans post for more on their feeding behavior. Gulls and pelicans coexist here throughout the winter. The dam creates good fishing conditions for both.