ExploreBirds

Glaucous-winged Gull

Larus glaucescens

The Glaucous-winged Gull is a large bird with beautiful gray wings and a white body. They love to hang out near the ocean and are often seen flying high in the sky or searching for food on the beach.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Glaucous-winged Gull is a large, sturdy gull with pale, bluish-gray wings and a white head and body. It has pink legs and a sturdy yellow bill with a distinctive red spot on the lower mandible, differentiating it from darker-winged gulls.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyLaridaeGenusLarus
Glaucous-winged Gull
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Glaucous-winged Gull

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A Glaucous-winged Gull once lived for an amazing 49 years in the wild!

These gulls have special glands to drink saltwater without getting sick!

They can drop hard shells from the sky onto rocks to crack open tasty snacks!

They often follow fishing boats, knowing easy fish snacks are about to appear!

Special abilities

Ability

Coastal Cleanup Crew

Glaucous-winged Gulls can eat almost anything, helping them survive in diverse coastal environments and keep beaches tidy.

Ability

Waterproof Wonder

Glaucous-winged Gulls have special oily feathers that help them stay dry and warm, even in cold ocean water.

Ability

Keen-Eyed Scavenger

Glaucous-winged Gulls possess excellent eyesight, allowing them to spot food from high above or far away on the ground.

Ability

Food Pirate Pro

Glaucous-winged Gulls are skilled at snatching food from other birds, helping them get a meal without hunting.

Measurements & details

Length
50-68 cm
Wingspan
120-150 cm
Weight
0.8-1.7 kg
Lifespan
15-25 years
Top Speed
55 km/h
Clutch Size
2-3
Incubation
26-28 days
Migration Distance
500 km

Diet & Feeding

The Glaucous-winged Gull is an opportunistic eater, feasting on almost anything it can find, from fish to human leftovers.

Primary Foods

  • fish
  • crabs
  • mussels
  • carrion
  • berries
  • discarded food

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Adult gulls and chicks can be prey for eagles.

eats

California Mussel

Mytilus californianus

Drops mussels from heights to break their shells for food.

eats

Northern Anchovy

Engraulis mordax

Catches small fish like anchovies in shallow waters.

eaten by

Orca

Orcinus orca

Rarely, orcas may prey on gulls on the water's surface.

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 be very curious and might try to grab your food!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Glaucous-winged Gull?

50-68 cm

What is Glaucous-winged Gull's wingspan?

120-150 cm

How much does Glaucous-winged Gull weigh?

0.8-1.7 kg

How long does Glaucous-winged Gull live?

15-25 years

How fast can Glaucous-winged Gull move?

55 km/h

What does Glaucous-winged Gull eat?

The Glaucous-winged Gull is an opportunistic eater, feasting on almost anything it can find, from fish to human leftovers.

Where is Glaucous-winged Gull usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Glaucous-winged Gull hunt?

Foraging

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Where to spot

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