The California Gull is a medium gull with plumage that varies somewhat by age and by season. Breeding adults have white heads and a yellow bill with both black and red markings near the tip. A white foreneck neck and underparts contrast with gray upperparts. In flight, the primaries are extensively black with small white tips.  Length: 21 in.  Wingspan: 54 in.

Photograph © Greg Lavaty.

The sexes are similar.

Winter adults have brown streaking on the head and nape.

Photograph © Greg Lavaty.

Immature birds are mostly brown, with a black-tipped pinkish bill. They attain adult plumage by age four.

Photograph © Alan Wilson.

Photograph © Tom Gray.

California Gulls inhabit coastal areas, lakes, farms, and towns.

California Gulls eat insects, fish, garbage, and eggs.

California Gulls forage by walking, wading, or swimming.

California Gulls breed in western Canada and parts of the western U.S. They winter along the Pacific Coast. They can be seen in migration across much of the western U.S. The population is increasing.

More information:

Bent Life History

Visit the Bent Life History for extensive additional information on the California Gull.

Wing Shape

The shape of a bird's wing is often an indication of its habits and behavior. Fast flying birds have long, pointed wings. Soaring birds have long, broad wings. Different songbirds will have a slightly different wing shape. Some species look so much alike (Empidonax flycatchers) that scientists sometimes use the length of specific feathers to confirm a species' identification.

• From top to bottom:   adult, April  ---  third winter, Apr. --- both from Washington

Wing images from the University of Puget Sound, Slater Museum of Natural History

The 1848 plague of grasshoppers affecting Mormons in Utah was alleviated when numerous California Gulls arrived and began consuming the insects.

California Gulls are typically found near saline lakes.

The voice is often described as being high and scratchy