The Northern Fulmar resembles a gull but is actually a tubenose related to albatrosses and petrels, and can be identified by its stiff-winged, gliding flight. It ejects a foul-smelling stomach oil at predators and intruders — the smell can persist on a bird for weeks. Light and dark color morphs exist; the dark morph predominates in the Pacific.
Best time to see a Northern Fulmar
The best time to see a Northern Fulmar is June–November, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,606 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Northern Fulmar? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Northern Fulmar sightings near you
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