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California Gull (Larus californicus)
Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
California Gull (Larus californicus)

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.

California Gull (Larus californicus)

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.

Comments:

California Gull (Larus californicus) If you were a tasty brine fly or a little bit of dead fish, this might be the last face you ever see!
California Gull (Larus californicus) California Gull (Larus californicus)
California Gull (Larus californicus)
California Gull: gray mantle and two-tone spot on the bill
California Gull (Larus californicus)
California Gull: note the two-tone spot on the bill
California Gull (Larus californicus)
California Gull adult feeding on an orgy of brine flies
California Gull (Larus californicus)
California Gull adult
California Gull (Larus californicus)
California Gull winter adult at (Boulder Beach Harbor, Lake Mead)
California Gull (Larus californicus)
California Gull winter adult with gray on the head
California Gull (Larus californicus)
California Gull in flight
California Gull (Larus californicus)
California Gulls loafing with friends
Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240112
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