Western Gull Photo Gallery
Breeding adult
Large white-headed gull with a heavy bill and pink legs. Breeding adults have a dark gray back, on orange ring around the eye, and a red spot on the lower bill.
© Jessica Hadley / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 21, 2018Nonbreeding adult
Large white-headed gull with a slaty gray back. Nonbreeding birds have very little streaking on the neck, unlike other gull species of the same age.
© Mason Maron / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 14, 2021Breeding adult
One of the largest gulls on the Pacific Coast of North America. Note bulky proportions, heavy bill, and dark gray back.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryBaja California, March 06, 2014Not all videos have soundThird winter
Third-winter Western Gulls have a smudgy head and neck. Their wingtips are entirely dark, lacking the white spots seen on adults. Note the heavy bulbous-shaped bill with a dark band across the tip.
© Christoph Moning / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 25, 2012Second winter
Second-winter Western Gulls have a slaty gray back and light brown mottled wings. The underparts and head are mostly white.
© Bernardo Alps / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 10, 2017Second winter
Second-winter birds have a mostly white head and underparts with slaty gray feathers coming in on the back and light brown wings. Note bulbous-shaped bill and pink legs.
© Bernardo Alps / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 10, 2017First winter
First-winter birds are heavily mottled in gray and brown with dark primaries. The extent of brown smudging on the breast varies among individuals. This individual has a fairly advanced molt with a whiter head and underparts.
© Peter Nguyen / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 12, 2017First winter
Large gull with a heavy bulbous bill and pink legs. First-winter birds are mottled brown and white in various amounts. This individual shows considerable brown smudging on the head and underparts.
© Darren Clark / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 13, 2018Juvenile
Juveniles are gray-brown below with checkered back and wings. Note pink legs, heavy bill, and large size.
© Alison Davies / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 30, 2020Breeding adult
In flight, note broad wings with a narrow white trailing edge and small white spots on the outer primaries. The darker wingtips blend gradually into the slaty gray wings and back.
© Jack Rogers / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 10, 2018Breeding adult
From below, note the gray secondaries and narrow white trailing edge.
© Esme Rosen / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 01, 2013Juvenile
On flying juveniles note the dark tail, pale barred rump, and dark brown primaries and secondaries.
© Blake Matheson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 16, 2020Habitat
Breeds on rocky islands and forages in intertidal areas, harbors, beaches, garbage dumps, fields, and other areas with easy access to food.
© Jim Scott / Macaulay LibraryOregon, September 24, 2017Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Laridae)
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