General Description: California Gull (Larus californicus) adults have a gray mantle; white head, breast, and belly, and black wingtips. The bill is yellow with a red and black spot on the lower mandible. In adults, the legs are yellow. In winter plumage, they get a gray wash and gray streaks on the head.

Gulls take 2-4 years to mature. The plumage during the juvenile and subadult years differs from the adult breeding plumage, and the plumage also differs between summer and winter. Thus, there can be 7 or so different plumages for each species of gull, making identification difficult. California Gulls take four years to mature.

Taxonomy: Charadriiformes, Laridae, Larinae.

Favored Habitat: California Gulls breed inland and winter mostly along the Pacific Coast. There is a large breeding colony at Mono Lake, California. During winter, watch for them around larger lakes and parking lots the Las Vegas area.

Where to Find: California Gulls are uncommon in the Las Vegas area during winter. Check for them while birding at Lake Mead and the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, and check large, paved parking lots around town.

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