Think "seagull" and the herring gull is the bird you will be envisioning in your mind.

Found across most of North America, this large gull is often seen resting in open areas such as parking lots, parks, fields and even airports.

Like most gulls,it will eat almost everything and is not adverse to dining in garbage dumps.

Its lust for food will overcome its fear of humans and more than once I have seen them dining on spilled french fries in McDonald's parking lots.

Young herring gulls are not white. They tend to be shades of gray and brown.

It is not until its third year that the herring gull attains it's adult plumage. Also, notice the red blotch on the bottom of the beak.