A large, yellow-legged, three-year gull of Southern California. Alternate Adult has yellow legs and feet, dark gray mantle, black wingtips with small white spots, white tail, white head and underparts, yellow eye, and thick yellow bill with red spot at tip. Basic Adult is similar, lacking streaking on head. Second-cycle birds have light streaking on head, black-tipped tail, and black-tipped bill. First-cycle birds have pink legs, white underparts with sparse streaking on neck and flanks, gray and black patterned mantle, black wingtips, and dark bill. Juveniles are light-bodied, heavily patterned with dark bars and spots overall.

Length: 69 (cm) Wingspan: 152 (cm)

Habitat:

Coastal areas and the Salton Sea.

Behavior:

Similar in appearance and behavior to Western Gull. Nest is a platform of grasses on ledge or rocky area. Forms flocks, sometimes with other gulls.

Feeding:

Omnivorous; eats a wide variety of fish, insects, and other small organisms, as well as seabird chicks, garbage, and scraps.