California Gull californicus

(last update: 22-12-2016 )

Coordinators:
Alex Abela
John Cant
Mars Muusse

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The Peterson Reference Guides

GULLS OF THE AMERICAS

- Steve N.G. Howell / Jon Dunn -

Below is a copy of chapter 24 about California Gull, illustrated with images from this website. "we" in the text below refers to the original authors. If any errors occur in this text, please let me know and mail to marsmuusseatgmaildotcom.

CALIFORNIA GULL (Larus californicus)

RARER SPECIES

See above under Similar Species for summary of characters for each plumage cycle of California Gull. Also see Common Gull (rare in winter, e. N. America), Kamchatka Gull (casual, W. Alaska), and Black-tailed Gull (casual N. America).

Adult Cycle.

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (casual e. N. America) larger and bulkier with heavier bill, although atlantis subspecies averages shorter legged and longer winged, suggesting California in shape. Upperparts medium gray (Kodak 6-8) and orbital ring reddish, like California, but eyes pale lemon, bill has reduced or no black distal marks, basic head streaking finer and more restricted (mostly on the head).

First Cycle.

VEGA GULL (n. Pacific), Yellow-legged Gull, and European Herring Gull (casual e. N. America) all average larger and with structure more like American Herring Gull. All have contrastingly white uppertail coverts and tail base with clean-cut black distal tail band; mostly dark bills through the winter; Vega and European Herring also have distinct pale inner primary panels.

KELP GULL (S. America) larger and bulkier with broader wings, shorter wing projection, stouter bill distinctly swollen at gonys; bill mostly black through first cycle and legs dusky flesh.

Second Cycle.

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL averages larger and bulkier with stouter bill and deeper gonys; plumage can be similar to California but bill rarely neatly two-toned and lacks any greenish hues, eyes usually pale by summer; inner primaries lack strongly contrasting pale panel.

VEGA GULL averages larger and bulkier with stouter bill and deeper gonys; plumage can be similar to California but bill rarely neatly two-toned and lacks greenish hues, legs flesh pink; pale panel on inner primaries more extensive.

Third Cycle.

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL and VEGA GULL differ in much the same ways as do adults (see above and relevant accounts). Note California’s long wings, bill size and shape, dark eyes, and gray-green to yellowish legs.

HABITAT AND BEHAVIOR

Widespread and adaptable. Nonbreeding birds common at beaches, estuaries, river mouths, lakes, parking lots, fields, duck ponds, fishing harbors, dumps, etc., also ranging offshore to 50 km or more from mainland. In summer also occurs from taiga bogs to desert shrublands. Nests colonially, mainly on islands in lakes and rivers. Nonbreeding birds often in flocks (locally up to a few thousand birds), associating readily with other gulls and water birds. Feeds mainly on a wide range of invertebrates, but also fish and small mammals, and commonly scavenges.

END OF PART 4.

BACK TO PART 1: IDENTIFICATION SUMMARY & TAXONOMY

BACK TO PART 2: FIELD IDENTIFICATION (adult & 1c)

BACK TO PART 3: FIELD IDENTIFICATION (2c & 3c)

CONTINUE: PART 5. DESCRIPTION AND MOLT >>>