Yellow-footed Gull Identification

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Yellow-footed Gull Photos and Videos

Adult

A large gull with a heavy, bulbous-tipped bill. Adult has a white head, neck, and underparts; dark-gray upperparts; black-and-white wingtips; a yellow bill with a red spot; and bright yellow legs.

Second year

Individuals reach adult plumage after three years. Second-year birds are similar to adults, but have a black mark at the tip of the bill. During the winter months they have some light streaking on the head.

Breeding adult

A large, long-necked gull with a heavy, bulbous-tipped bill. Breeds only in Mexico’s Gulf of California. Adult has dark-gray upperparts, a clean white head and underparts, and a yellow bill with red mark.

Second year

Second-year birds have dark gray upperparts like adults, but with some brown feathers mixed in. During the winter, second-year birds have some streaking on the head and neck, while adults have a white head and neck year-round.

First year

A large gull with a long neck and a thick bill with a bulbous tip.

Second year

Second-year birds are similar to adults, but show some brown in the gray upperparts and have a black tip to the bill. This species forages on beaches, in intertidal areas, in harbors, and at sea, feeding on fish, marine invertebrates and more.

First year

Forages in intertidal areas, on beaches, in harbors, and at sea.

First year

First-year birds have mostly white underparts, with some streaking on the side of the breast.

First year

First-year plumage is variable, but note the heavy, mostly black bill; dark gray mask around the eye; black wingtips; mostly white underparts; and pink legs.

Adult

In flight, adult shows a white tail, white trailing edge to the inner wing, mostly black wingtips, and a white spot on the tip of the outermost primary.

First year

In flight, the white rump of first-year birds contrasts with a black tail.

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Western Gull

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Identification

Large, dark-backed, and stout-billed gull. Adult has dark slaty gray back like Western Gull, but note the rich yellow legs. Immature plumages look much like Western Gull and other large gulls; overall brown in first year with pinkish legs, developing gray back and yellow legs in second year. Restricted range around the Gulf of California in Mexico; some disperse north to the Salton Sea in California. Favors beaches, rocky and muddy intertidal habitats, and fishing harbors.