ExploreBirds

California Gull

Larus californicus

California Gulls are fun birds that live near the coast and love to eat fish! They have gray wings and a bright white body, making them easy to spot when they fly.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The California Gull has a medium-grey back and wings, with white underparts. Its wingtips are black with distinct white spots. It has a yellow bill with a noticeable black and red spot near the tip, and yellowish-green legs.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyLaridaeGenusLarus
California Gull
feathered trait badgewebbed_feet trait badgesocial trait badgepiscivorous trait badge
California Gull

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

California Gulls are the state bird of Utah, even though they aren't unique to California!

Some California Gulls use warm air currents to soar high in the sky without flapping their wings!

Their eggs come in cool speckled colors, helping them hide on the ground!

They helped save early Mormon settlers' crops from crickets, earning them a monument!

Special abilities

Ability

Saltwater Purifiers

California Gulls can drink saltwater because they have special glands that remove excess salt, helping them survive far from fresh water.

Ability

Tool-Using Foragers

California Gulls sometimes drop shellfish onto hard surfaces to crack them open, demonstrating clever problem-solving skills.

Ability

Adaptable Gourmets

California Gulls can digest a huge variety of foods, from insects to human leftovers, because of their robust digestive system.

Ability

Airborne Navigators

California Gulls can travel thousands of kilometers during migration due to their strong wings and efficient flight.

Measurements & details

Length
46-56 cm
Wingspan
120-140 cm
Weight
0.43-1 kg
Lifespan
10-25 years
Top Speed
55 km/h
Clutch Size
2-4
Incubation
22-26 days
Migration Distance
3000 km

Diet & Feeding

An opportunistic eater, munching on insects, fish, eggs, and almost any food scraps!

Primary Foods

  • Insects
  • Fish
  • Eggs
  • Small rodents
  • Crustaceans
  • Carrion

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Watch from a distance and don't feed the gulls, as they can get too close!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is California Gull?

46-56 cm

What is California Gull's wingspan?

120-140 cm

How much does California Gull weigh?

0.43-1 kg

How long does California Gull live?

10-25 years

How fast can California Gull move?

55 km/h

What does California Gull eat?

An opportunistic eater, munching on insects, fish, eggs, and almost any food scraps!

Where is California Gull usually found?

Coastal areas

How does California Gull hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Recent Snaps

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Where to spot

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