Western Gulls are pretty easy to distinguish from other gulls in the area as they are larger and darker-winged than most. They have heavy yellow bills and pink legs.
Juveniles are mottled brown.
- Larus occidentalis
- Length: 22.1-26.0 in (56-66 cm)
- Weight: 28.2-44.1 oz (800-1250 g)
- Wingspan: 47.2-56.7 in (120-144 cm)
Range
Western Gulls live on the Pacific Coast of the US and Baja California and they rarely venture inland. Look for them along the beaches and coast.
Habitat And Diet
As they are only found by the sea, Western Gulls mainly eat fish and other marine creatures, but they will also steal found from seals or raid dumps.
Western Gull Calls:
Nests
Nests of Western Gulls are built on the ground, usually on islands to provide some protection. They make a scrape lined with feathers, grass and seaweed.
Western Gulls may pair for life and they lay up to 3 eggs and the young may leave the nest within a day.
Fun Fact:
Nesting sites of Western Gulls can be noisy places as each time one parent returns to the nest to take over incubation they greet each other by calling and head tossing.
