California Gull Photo Gallery
Breeding adult
Medium-sized white-headed gull. Breeding adults have yellow legs, a dark eye, and a red spot on the lower bill.
© Daniel Arndt / Macaulay LibraryAlberta, April 18, 2020Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding adults have a heavily streaked head, but still have yellow legs, a dark eye and a red spot on the lower bill.
© Ryan Sanderson / Macaulay LibraryIndiana, October 24, 2016Breeding adult
Often eats insects along lake and stream edges during the breeding season. Breeding adults have yellow bill with black and red spot.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 01, 2005Not all videos have soundSecond winter
Second winter birds start to acquire gray feathers on their back and have a bluish bill with a black tip. Note dark eyes and a bluish tint on the upper legs.
© Jim Hully / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, November 05, 2016Second summer
Second summer gulls start to resemble adults but may still retain some brown feathers.
© Ian Routley / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, June 09, 2017First winter
First winter gulls are checkered in tan and white with a few gray feathers appearing on the back. The bill is pink with a black tip. Note darker brown patches on the greater coverts (lower part of the folded wing).
© Steven Mlodinow / Macaulay LibraryBaja California Sur, March 19, 2009Juvenile
Juveniles are mottled brown and white. Some individuals have a bit of cinnamon color on the back. Note thin bill with a pink base.
© Mason Maron / Macaulay LibraryWashington, August 09, 2019Nonbreeding adult
In flight, note the dark primaries seen from above and below. The amount of black in the primaries is more extensive compared to similar gulls.
© Blake Matheson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 23, 2020Second summer
Second summer gulls often show lighter inner primary feathers in flight. Note slim bill and dark eye.
© Brandon Holden / Macaulay LibraryOntario, May 12, 2015Juvenile
Juveniles in flight have a wide dark brown tail band, dark primaries, and dark greater covert feathers. Note slim bill.
© Liam Singh / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, July 13, 2018Habitat
Found in any open area where they can find food including garbage dumps, scrublands, pastures, orchards, meadows, and farms. In winter, found along the Pacific Coast mostly in marine areas including mudflats, estuaries, deltas, and beaches.
© John C Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryOregon, September 15, 2017Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Laridae)
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