General

California Gull: Moderately large gull with white body, gray wings, and black wing tips. Bill is yellow with diagnostic red and black spot near tip of bill. Legs are yellow; eye is dark with red orbital ring. Sexes are similar. Winter adult develops brown streaks on back of head and nape. Juvenile is mottled gray-brown overall with dark wing tips, pink legs, and black bill that becomes pink-based during 1st winter; back turns pale gray, underparts lighten, and legs turn yellow-green by 2nd winter.

Range and Habitat

California Gull: Breeds in northern prairie provinces east to North Dakota, south to northwestern Wyoming and Utah, and west to northeastern California. Spends winters mainly on the coast from Oregon southward, in lesser numbers inland. In breeding season, preferred habitats include interior lakes and marshes, while in winter, are found mostly on the coast.

Breeding and Nesting

California Gull: Two or three dark gray and brown blotched, olive buff eggs are laid in a nest made of grass, dead weeds, and sticks; nests in large colonies, usually on islands in shallow inland lakes, sometimes with Ring-billed Gulls. Incubation ranges from 23 to 27 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

California Gull: Feeds on insects, fish, eggs, and young of other birds, small mammals, worms, spiders, refuse, and carrion.

Vocalization

California Gull: Emits a repetitive "kee-yah."

Similar Species

California Gull: Adult Herring Gull is larger, has pink legs, yellow iris, paler back, and slightly thicker yellow bill with a more pronounced spot on lower mandible. 1st winter Herring Gull has entirely black bill, only show contrasting secondaries in flight, and lack contrasting greater secondary coverts. Adult Mew Gull is smaller with unmarked yellow bill.