# Western Gull (*Larus occidentalis*) The Western Gull is a big, gray-and-white bird often found near the ocean. They love to eat fish and can be seen flying over beaches and coastal areas. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 50 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Western Gull](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Larus_occidentalis_%28Western_Gull%29%252C_Point_Lobos%252C_CA%252C_US_-_May_2013.jpg&width=800) Photo: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Larus_occidentalis_%28Western_Gull%29%252C_Point_Lobos%252C_CA%252C_US_-_May_2013.jpg) ## Appearance The Western Gull is a large, sturdy seabird with a crisp white head and body. It has a striking dark slate-gray back and wings, which helps distinguish it from lighter-backed gulls. Its strong yellow bill has a distinct red spot, and its legs are pink. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Charadriiformes - **Family:** Laridae - **Genus:** Larus ## Interesting facts - A baby Western Gull is called a 'chick' and is covered in fluffy down! - The red spot on their bill tells chicks where to peck for food! - They can sometimes live for over 25 years in the wild! - Western Gulls sometimes stomp their feet to trick worms into coming up! ## Special abilities - **Shell Cracker:** Western Gulls can drop shellfish from high up because this helps them break open tough shells for a meal. - **Food Finder:** Western Gulls have excellent eyesight and a keen sense of smell that helps them locate food from far away. - **Coastal Navigator:** Western Gulls have powerful wings that help them soar effortlessly on ocean breezes along the coast. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 56-66 cm - **Wingspan:** 130-144 cm - **Weight:** 0.8-1.4 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 65 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-3 - **Incubation:** 27-30 days ## Diet & Feeding Western Gulls are clever omnivores, eating almost anything they can find, from fish to human snacks! - **Primary Foods:** Fish, Marine invertebrates, Bird eggs and chicks, Carrion, Human refuse, Rodents - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Common Murre](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-murre) (*Uria aalge*) — Preys on eggs and chicks in nesting colonies. - **Eats:** California Mussel (*Mytilus californianus*) — Drops them from heights to crack open their shells. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Can prey on gull eggs, chicks, or injured adults. - **Eats:** Northern Anchovy (*Engraulis mordax*) — Forages for small schooling fish near the surface. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Don't feed gulls human food; it can make them sick! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western Gull? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Western Gull? 56-66 cm ### What is Western Gull's wingspan? 130-144 cm ### How much does Western Gull weigh? 0.8-1.4 kg ### How long does Western Gull live? 15-25 years ### How fast can Western Gull move? 65 km/h ### What does Western Gull eat? Western Gulls are clever omnivores, eating almost anything they can find, from fish to human snacks! ### Where is Western Gull usually found? Coastal areas ## Where to spot - [Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bolsa-chica-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Cabrillo National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrillo-national-monument) — California, US · National Park - [Crystal Cove Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crystal-cove-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Desert Garden Conservatory](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/desert-garden-conservatory) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Hollywood Forever Cemetery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hollywood-forever-cemetery) — California, US · Historic Site - [Little Italy](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/little-italy) — California, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Western Gull](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/western-gull) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Western Gull: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-gull)