California ’s divers coastline , expansive wetlands , and inland lake make it one of the best stead in North America to discover a wide change of gull species . Standing by the breaker at a beach , strolling around a marina , or watching bird meet in a parking lot , mass can often run across multipletypes of soft touch in Californiathroughout the year . From the iconic Western Gull to rare Arctic floater , these birds wreak surprising diversity to the Golden State ’s sky .
Gulls in Californiaare more than just intimate coastal good deal — they are highly adaptable , intelligent birds with subtle difference in size of it , plume , and behaviour . Some species stay put year - orotund , while others arrive during migration or wintertime calendar month , journey K of miles to reach California ’s hospitable shores . While many sea gull calculate likewise at first glance , careful observation reveals unique feature article that make each species distinctive .
This guide highlights 21types of gulls in California , complete with pic and designation tip to help heighten your birding skill . Exploring the fascinating world of these coastal birds tot up a bass appreciation for California ’s rich and dynamic birdlife .
Common and Regular Gulls in California
These are the specie most often seen along the coast , inland lake , and urban areas .
Western Gull (Larus occidentalis)
The Western Gull is a bombastic , rich gull native to the Pacific Coast , known for its white head , glum gray back , and pink pegleg . It typically measures around 22 to 27 inches in length , with a wingspan reaching up to 5 feet . Adults have a thick yellow bill with a red smear on the lower jawbone , which plays a role in chick eating behaviour . These gull are among the most recognizable seabirds along the California coastline .
In California , the Western Gull is see year - round , particularly along the slide from Mendocino County down to Baja California . It prefers rocky shorelines , harbors , piers , and islands for nesting . This seagull is highly territorial during the procreation season and often nest in gravid colonies on seaward islands , such as the Channel Islands and Farallon Islands .
Western Gulls are opportunistic feeders , consume a varied diet of fish , marine invertebrate , garbage , and even the eggs or skirt of other seabirds . They are jazz for their bold behavior around human , often scavenging in parking lots and dock . A fun fact : Western Gulls are one of the few mug species that rarely stray far from the ocean , making them true coastal specialists .
California Gull (Larus californicus)
The California Gull is a medium - sized mug with a lily-white head , gray back , black wingtips with white stain , and greenish - yellow leg . It mature to about 20 to 23 inch in duration with a wingspan of up to 4.5 feet . This species can be identify by its black and reddish office on the account , which set it apart from other likewise sized gulls .
This soft touch breeds inland at large lake colonies , particularly in Mono Lake and the Great Basin area . In California , it is far-flung during the nonbreeding season , commonly envision along the coastline , farmland , scraps rubbish dump , and even urban arena . While it winters throughout the res publica , it tends to be particularly abundant around the Central Valley and the Pacific Coast during colder month .
California Gulls feed on insects , fish , invertebrate , scraps , and occasionally small-scale animal . They have even been celebrate following plows in agricultural fields to banquet on unearthed insects . A offbeat historical note : this gull is revered in Utah , where it famously helped other Mormon settlers by eat crop - destroying cricket , contribute to the erection of a monument in Salt Lake City .
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)
The Ring - bill Gull is a medium - sized gull well recognized by the black ring around its yellow bill . Adults have white caput , gray backbone , and yellow legs . This species measures about 17 to 21 inches in distance and has a wingspread of about 4 feet . In winter , its capitulum often becomes streaked with gray , bring to its seasonal variability in appearance .
In California , the Ring - billed Gull is a very common wintertime visitor , especially in inland areas such as the Central Valley and near large bodies of water like lakes , reservoirs , and urban ponds . It is also often seen in city environments , such as parking lots and sports field , where it takes advantage of human bodily process and nutrient waste .
Ring - billed Gulls eat a wide variety of food , including fish , insect , earthworms , cereal , and refuse . They are skilled foragers and often congregate in large flocks near human settlements . A fun fact : these gull are so well - adapted to urban environments that they have watch to time their visit to schools and dissipated - food outlets around lunch period .
Heermann’s Gull (Larus heermanni)
Heermann ’s Gull is a striking and distinctive species , with a slating - grizzly dead body , white point ( in breeding season ) , black - tilted wings , and a burnished red posting with a black tip . This medium - sized gull measures around 18 to 21 inches in length , with a wingspan close to 4 invertebrate foot . Juveniles are dark browned and gradually get the adult ’s bold coloration over several years .
Heermann ’s chump are primarily find along the Pacific Coast , especially in cardinal and southerly California during summertime and fall . They multiply chiefly on Isla Rasa in the Gulf of California and migrate northward after the breeding season . Along California ’s coast , they are commonly seen near beaches , jetties , and pier , often mingling with other mark and seabirds .
Their diet consist largely of small fish , squid , and scraps from sportfishing gravy holder . They are aggressive tributary and often steal food from other birds such as pelicans or terns . A fun fact : Heermann ’s Gull is see one of the most beautiful gull specie in North America , and due to its limited bringing up range , it is also one of the most conservation - tender .
Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens)
The Glaucous - wing Gull is a large , weighed down - bodied gull with pale grey wing and back that intermix in with its wingtips , distinguishing it from other gull that haveblack fender grading . Adults also have a clean head and body , pink leg , and a yellow bill with a red spot . This species typically measures between 20 to 26 inches long , with a wingspread up to 5 feet .
In California , the Glaucous - wing Gull is most usually found in the northern part of the res publica , particularly during the wintertime calendar month . It frequents coastal areas , bay , and haven , often roost on beaches or docks . This gull often overlap with Western Gulls , and the two species ofttimes hybridize , especially around the San Francisco Bay Area .
Glaucous - wing seagull have a varied dieting that includes fish , invertebrates , scraps , carrion , and other fowl ’ eggs . They are generalists and can adapt their feeding demeanor to different environments . A fun fact : hybrid between Glaucous - winged and Western Gulls are so common in some area that birder have coin the condition “ Olympic Gull ” to trace them .
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
The Herring Gull is a heavy seagull with a classic appearance : white head and underpart , grey back , pink wooden leg , and inglorious wingtips marked with white spots . Adults also have a muscular yellow bill with a blood-red spot . measure between 22 to 26 column inch long with a wingspan of about 5.5 understructure , it ’s one of the largest gulls found in North America and is often confused with the similar - looking Western Gull .
In California , the Herring Gull is a wintertime visitor , most commonly fleck in the northern regions of the land , specially around San Francisco Bay and Humboldt Bay . However , it can seem periodically throughout the state during migration or along major water bodies . It ’s more potential to be seen around haven , landfills , and beaches .
These gulls are omnivorous scavengers , feed on fish , mollusc , garbage , and carrion . Their opportunistic nature makes them frequent visitors to urban areas and fishing port . A fun fact : Herring Gulls have complex social behaviors and have been honor using tools , such as dropping heavily - shelled prey from heights to crack them open .
Bonaparte’s Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
Bonaparte ’s Gull is a small and graceful chump , measuring about 11 to 13 inch in length with a wingspread of around 3 feet . In breeding plumage , it has a sleekblack brain , white underparts , and pallid gray annexe with distinct black tips . Outside of breeding time of year , its forefront turns lily-white with a minuscule coloured daub behind the eye , making it appear ticklish and tern - like .
This mug migrates through California in both bounce and fall and spend the winter in coastal waters , estuaries , and bays . It is most frequently observed along the coast , from San Diego up to the San Francisco Bay , and now and again inland on lake and reservoirs during migration .
Bonaparte ’s Gulls prey on small fish , insects , and aquatic invertebrates . They often dip and skim over the urine ’s airfoil in a deglutition - corresponding manner . A fun fact : unlike most gulls , they frequently nest in Tree , build their nests in coniferous timber near lakes in Canada and Alaska .
Mew Gull (Larus canus)
The Mew Gull is a lowly , kickshaw gull with a rounded head , sensationalistic bill without any markings , and greenish - yellowness legs . adult have a light gray back , white consistency , and opprobrious wingtips with classifiable white “ windows . ” They range in size from 16 to 17 inches long with a wingspread of about 3.5 feet , and their gentle , dove - alike call is a utilitarian clue for identification .
In California , Mew Gulls are regular wintertime visitors along the coast , especially in northerly and Central California . They are occasionally seen inland as well , particularly around reservoirs and tumid lakes . They often gather in mixed flocks with magnanimous gulls but stand out due to their smaller size and sleeker build .
Their diet admit fish , marine invertebrates , earthworms , worm , and human scraps . They scrounge by walking on shorelines or wading in shallow waters . A fun fact : the Mew Gull is one of the few gull species that nests in both Europe and North America , known in Eurasia as the Common Gull .
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)
The Laughing Gull is a intermediate - sized gull with a striking summer appearance : a black brain , snowy eye arcs , dismal gray-headed back , and cerise placard . In wintertime , the smuggled head disappearance to white , and its head becomes smudged with grey . It measures around 15 to 18 inches long and has a wingspan of approximately 3.5 to 4 feet .
Although mostly an easterly species , laugh Gulls on occasion seem along the Southern California coast , particularly during summertime and fall . Rare individual are seen around beaches , lagoon , or estuaries , often standing out among the local gulls due to their unique psyche and call .
laugh Gulls feed on fish , louse , crustacean , and food waste , often scavenge near human activity or foraging by dip over the breaker . They are named for their typical , express mirth - similar call , which can be hear when they gather in deal . A fun fact : Laughing Gulls often steal food from Brown Pelicans by grabbing fish now from their pouch .
Franklin’s Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan)
Franklin ’s Gull is a minuscule , graceful gull with a black hood during the breeding time of year , dark gray back , and bright cerise bill . In nonbreeding feather , the hood pull back to a smudgy place behind the oculus . It mensurate around 12 to 14 in long , with a wingspan of about 3 foot . This specie has a buoyant flight of steps and often flocks in large Book of Numbers during migration .
Franklin ’s Gull is in the first place a migrator in California , overhaul through in spring and fall . It ’s more oftentimes observed inland , particularly in the Central Valley and close wetland . Though it is not a regular coastal breeder or house physician , it may come along along the glide in small identification number during migration or winter .
Its diet consists of insect , earthworms , aquatic invertebrates , and casual small Pisces the Fishes . This fall guy is known to travel along agricultural machinery to feed on disturbed target . A fun fact : Franklin ’s Gulls undertake retentive - distance migrations between reproduction grounds in Canada and the northern U.S. and wintering areas as far to the south as Chile and Argentina .
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
The Black - headed Gull is a rare but regular winter visitant to California , start from Eurasia . In breeding plumage , it sports a umber - brown hood ( not truly black ) , red legs , and a red bill . In winter , the pass becomes white with a dark auricle spot . It is slightly large than Bonaparte ’s Gull , measuring about 13 to 15 inches foresighted with a wingspread of intimately 3.5 foot .
This gull is most often run across in Northern California , peculiarly around big wetlands and coastal lagoons during the winter month . placement like San Francisco Bay and Humboldt Bay have host sightings over the age . Because it is rarefied , birders often essay it out when one is reported .
The Black - manoeuver Gull feed on humble invertebrates , fish , and insects , and it is quite agile in flight of stairs , sometimes catching prey midair . A fun fact : despite its name , its head is not fateful even in summer , and it shares a close evolutionary relationship with Bonaparte ’s Gull , which it often resembles in stance and feed behavior .
Uncommon or Rare Gulls Seen in California
These species are consider rare , but birders on occasion report them during migration or wintertime .
Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)
The Glaucous Gull is one of the tumid gull coinage in the world , easily recognized by its very sick plumage and turgid sizing . adult are mostly whitened with a soft gray back and wingtips that miss the black scoring typical of other gulls . Juveniles are overall pale buff or whitish , adding to their ghostly coming into court . This monolithic chump measures up to 27 in in length with a wingspread that can exceed 5.5 feet .
In California , the Glaucous Gull is a rare winter visitor , most usually date in Northern California . Sightings are typically reported from coastal locations such as Humboldt Bay , Bodega Bay , or the northern shore of San Francisco Bay . It may also occasionally show up at inland landfills or large lakes where fall guy flock congregate .
This species in the main feed on Pisces , carrion , and discarded human food . It also scavenges from other seabirds and is a top marauder in some Arctic regions . A fun fact : Glaucous seagull breed in the eminent Arctic , and their front in California sign a significant migration from their gelid breeding grounds .
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)
The Iceland Gull is a medium - sized gull with a delicate frame and soft appearance . grownup have a wan gray back , ashen underpart , and twinkle wingtips that miss the bold black marking seen in most other gulls . Juveniles are pale brown with an overall frosty look . It typically measures 20 to 24 inches in length with a wingspan of around 4.5 feet .
Although rare , the Iceland Gull is an annual wintertime visitant to California , especially in the northern and central part of the state . It is often observed around San Francisco Bay , Monterey Bay , and other expectant body of water where gulls get together during the colder months . Birders often determine it mixed in with flocks of more common patsy .
Iceland Gulls feast on fish , leatherneck invertebrates , and refuse . They are agile fliers and can be watch foraging at ocean or near shorelines . A fun fact : despite its name , the Iceland Gull breeds in Greenland and Arctic Canada , not Iceland , and its winter compass occasionally extends all the style to California .
Thayer’s Gull (Larus glaucoides thayeri)
Thayer ’s Gull is now considered a subspecies of the Iceland Gull but is still often referred to as a distinct type due to its slightly darker plumage and more rich build . Adults have a medium - gray back and extension with pale black wingtips , while juveniles are chocolate-brown with a pattern coming into court . It is intermediate in size of it , typically measure 21 to 24 inches in length .
This gull is a regular wintertime visitor to California , specially along the slide in Northern and Central California . Places like San Francisco Bay , Point Reyes , and Monterey often host Thayer ’s Gulls among large winter gull flocks . It prefers coastal beach , piers , estuaries , and nearby landfills .
Thayer ’s Gulls tip on fish , invertebrates , and refuse . They are known for their pernicious plumage , which can make designation challenging , peculiarly when mixed with other gulls . A fun fact : Thayer ’s Gull was named after ornithologist John Eliot Thayer and was once a subject of considerable taxonomic public debate due to its overlap in appearing with similar fall guy .
Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus)
The Slaty - backed Gull is a large , rare gull with a striking appearance . Adults have a dark slate - grey back and wings , bloodless underpart , pink leg , and thick lily-livered nib with a red post . A key designation feature is the bold white “ string of pearls ” design on the wingtips . It measures 22 to 27 inch retentive with a wingspread nigh to 5 feet .
aboriginal to northeastern Asia , the Slaty - back Gull is a uncommon but increasingly reported visitor in California , especially in Central and Southern coastal regions . Sightings are typically from places like Ventura , Los Angeles , and San Diego haven , often in winter when vagrants from Asia show up .
Its diet includes fish , garbage , and carrion , much like other enceinte gulls . It is aggressive when feed and often dominates small mintage . A fun fact : the Slaty - back Gull is one of the few Asian gulls regularly run into in North America , and its bearing in California is prized by birders due to its tenuity and distinct show .
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)
The Lesser Black - backed Gull is a medium to large chump , characterized by its dark grey to almost black back and wings , yellow leg , and uninfected white underpart . Adults have a sharp yellow bill with a red spot and pale eyes . In escape , it shows a classifiable wing figure with black wingtips and white-hot spot . It is slightly smaller and more slender than the Western Gull , measuring around 20–24 inches in length .
In California , the Lesser Black - backed Gull is a rarefied but increasingly reported visitant . scatter sighting have been made along the coast as well as at inland reservoir and landfills , particularly during the winter months . San Diego , Los Angeles , and San Francisco Bay area are among the places where this species has been celebrate .
This gull feed in on Pisces , invertebrates , and human refuse , and often affiliate with large soft touch flocks . It is native to Europe and spawn across northerly Eurasia , so its arise presence in North America , include California , is reckon part of an ongoing range expansion . A fun fact : some somebody of this species have been tracked flying thousands of mile across the Atlantic during migration .
Greater Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)
The Greater Black - backed Gull is the large patsy in the world , towering over most other patsy mintage with a duration of up to 30 inches and a wingspread go past 5.5 feet . It has a striking smuggled back , massive jaundiced flier , and pinkish leg , giving it a powerful and imposing appearance . Its sheer size and dominance make it easy to identify when get word .
This metal money is very rare in California , with only a smattering of confirmed record , chiefly along the coast during winter . Most sightings come from Northern California , including locations like Bodega Bay and the San Francisco area . It is much more common on the Atlantic coast of North America .
The Greater Black - back Gull is a scavenger and piranha , feeding on fish , smaller shuttlecock , carrion , and garbage . Its aggressive behavior allows it to predominate feeding areas , often displacing smaller chump . A fun fact : due to its rarity in the westerly United States , this chump is a prized uncovering for birders who keep life lists of North American species .
Sabine’s Gull (Xema sabini)
Sabine ’s Gull is a small and elegant gull know for its distinctive wing pattern and long pointed wings . Adults are easy recognise by their black heads ( in breed plumage ) , pallid gray back , snowy undersides , and hit black - and - white triangular wing pattern in flight . They value about 13–14 inch in length , making them one of the little gulls seen off the Pacific seacoast .
This pelagic species is typically see offshore in California during migration , especially in the autumn . It passes along the coast from August to October , now and then visible from land during storms or from oceanic bird trip out of ports like Monterey and Half Moon Bay . It is rare to spot it inland or along the straightaway shoreline .
Sabine ’s Gull feeds on small fish , plankton , and insects charm at sea . It is often seen fly gracefully above the wave in lookup of target . A fun fact : this chump engender in the high Arctic and undertakes one of the longest migrations of any gull , overwinter off the coasts of South America and Africa .
Ross’s Gull (Rhodostethia rosea)
Ross ’s Gull is a stunning and passing rare soft touch , noted for its delicate show , soft pinkish underparts , and wedge - shaped tail . adult in breeding plumage feature a black choker around the neck and pale gray upperparts . Its small sizing — around 11–13 inches long — and graceful flight of steps style make it unlike any other seagull found in North America .
In California , Ross ’s Gull is an super rare aimless from the Arctic , with only a few documented sightings in the nation ’s chronicle . Most records have occurred in Northern California during tardy fall or other winter , typically at coastal placement or large inland lakes where birders gather in hopes of a rare encounter .
Its dieting comprise mainly of small fish and marine invertebrate , and in its native Arctic home ground , it often forage along ice edge . A fun fact : due to its rarity and beauty , Ross ’s Gull is considered a “ holy grail ” bird among mug enthusiasts and often draws birders from across the country when one is spotted in California .
Hybrid Gulls in California
Due to overlapping ranges and interbreeding , hybrid seagull are not rare .
Western Gull × Glaucous-winged Gull (“Olympic Gull”)
The “ Olympic Gull ” is a loan-blend between the Western Gull and the Glaucous - winged Gull , exhibiting a portmanteau word of feature of speech from both parent mintage . Typically , it has a intermediate - grizzly back ( disconsolate than a Glaucous - winged but paler than a Western Gull ) , wingtips that are paler than virgin Western Gulls , and a large , stout yellow bill with a red position . Its overall structure is bulky and its sizing ramble from 23–26 column inch .
This crossbreed is quite common in Northern California , particularly around the San Francisco Bay Area and other coastal habitats . It thrives in urbanized marine surroundings where both parent mintage lap and interbreed . Hybridization is most frequent during the winter and former spring , though some mortal persist year - round .
Olympic Gulls fee on Pisces the Fishes , marine invertebrates , carrion , and refuse . They often scrounge in the same areas as their parent species and can be see loafing in declamatory gull flock . A fun fact : the name “ Olympic Gull ” is derived from the Olympic Peninsula in Washington , where this loanblend is also vulgar , but California pop the question excellent chance to observe them regularly .
Herring Gull × Glaucous-winged Gull
This crossbreed between the Herring Gull and the Glaucous - wing Gull is much rarer than the Olympic Gull , with only occasional report along the California seashore . Individuals typically show intermediate characteristics , such as pale grey upperparts , a fairly big and powerful bill , pinkish wooden leg , and wingtips that are sour than those of a Glaucous - fly Gull but not as black as a pure Herring Gull .
Sightings in California are mostly limited to wintertime month , with scattered record from places like Humboldt Bay , Bodega Bay , and the San Francisco seashore . These hybrid are more normally found in the Pacific Northwest , but vagrant individuals may rove south intoCaliforniawith gull flock .
This hybrid likely feast on similar intellectual nourishment sources as its parent coinage , including fish , crabs , mussels , and waste from human activity . A fun fact : identifying this loanblend can be quite ambitious , and birder often consider private gulls ’ ancestry due to the subtle and variable nature of hybrid traits , spend a penny it a rewarding challenge for experienced gull watchers .
