Western Gull, Larus occidentalis

Western Gull Larus occidentalis Audubon

Identification

Adult Western Gull at Morro Bay CA - March 21, 2007. © Michael G. Shepard.

Western Gull Identification:

One of the largest of North American gulls. As an adult in alternate plumage, it typically has a white head and tail, pink legs and feet, very dark gray black mantle, black primaries with contrasting white spots. Breeders in the southern part of its range are noticeably darker.
This species hybridizes freely with closely related Glaucous-winged Gull Larus glaucescens. A large proportion of the population in British Columbia and Washington shows some hybrid characteristics.
As with other large gulls of the genus Larus, this bill of this species has a pronounced gonydeal angle, and the head is fairly flat.
Eyes are usually dark.
Juveniles are fairly dark, usually with even darker primaries and tail.

Western Gull Distribution:

Primarily a coastal breeder, with the bulk of the population nesting in Oregon and California. In winters it expands its range somewhat, ranging north commonly to southern British Columbia and southward along Baja California. In winter, it frequently wanders upstream along the Columbia River system, occasionally reaching Idaho and the interior of British Columbia. Rarely reported east of the Rocky Mountains.

Western Gull Images:
Click HERE to view our image gallery for this species.

2007 07 01