This is the common large gull species found along the U.S. West Coast, seldom venturing inland. Adult: A large gull with pink legs and a dark gray mantle. The southern subspecies, from Central California south, is darker on the back and upper wing surface than birds in the northern part of the range. The bill bulges at the tip, and is bright school bus yellow with a red gonydeal spot. The outer primaries are extensively black with small white tips, and a white mirror on the outermost primary. In flight, the underside of the flight feathers are gray, while the underwing coverts are white, creating a two-toned effect. Eye color ranges from whitish in the south, to dark brown in the north. In winter, adult Western Gulls have very little or no streaking on the head and neck, instantly distinguishing this species from hybrids and any other regularly occurring species within the range. Third-cycle: Resembles adult, but with brownish cast to wing coverts, all black primaries, dark mark on bill tip, and some dark on tail. Second-cycle: Head, breast, and rump paler than first cycle bird, with dark gray feathers appearing on the back. The wing coverts are still brown, but primaries and tail are mostly blackish. Bill is yellowish with a dark tip. First-cycle: Mottled dark brown overall. The tail and wing tips are very dark. In flight, the rump appears light with dark barring. Large bill is mostly dark, with a dull pinkish base. Frequently hybridizes and back-crosses with Glaucous-winged Gull from Southern Oregon to Washington. The resulting intergrade swarms are sometimes referred to as "Olympic Gulls."

Length: 56 (cm) Wingspan: 137 (cm)

Voice:

Calls are shorter and lower than Glaucous-winged Gull.

Habitat:

Nests on islands and offshore rocks. May be found loafing or feeding on outer beaches, tidal mudflats, or rocky coastal outcrops.

Behavior:

Much more restricted to coastal areas than other West Coast gulls, though they may follow major waterways up to 100 miles inland.

Feeding:

Takes a variety of fish, marine invertebrates, eggs, young birds.