Not a Seagull

This bird is a gull. Specifically, it is a Ring-billed Gull, Larus delawarensis. But never, never never call it a seagull! For most of my life I happily referred to these birds as seagulls. Something happens, however, when you become a birder. You start getting picky about bird names. Other people say robin; you say American Robin. They say mockingbird; you say Northern Mockingbird. Seagull is different, though. It is not a shortened form of a longer name, and it just grates on the nerves of most birders. Don't say it. If you are not certain of the species, just say gull. It's an easy word. Try it: "Gull." Thank you. Come back tomorrow for Part II of Bill's bird name pet peeves.