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Western gull
Larus occidentalis
48.9769, -125.615
Field Notes
Description:
The adult western gull has a deep gray back and wings, with black wing-tips that blend into the rest of the wing, unlike many species where the black is clearly defined. The underwing is white with a narrow band of gray. The head is mostly white, with a limited amount of brown streaking, especially in non-breeding plumage. The large bill is yellow with a red spot, and the eye is dark yellow. The western gull is a four-4 year gull, meaning that it takes four years to achieve adult plumage. Juveniles are mottled brown, with a dark bill and dark eyes, and pinkish-gray legs. This plumage varies and takes on more of the adult plumage characteristics in each successive year.
Habitat:
Coastal waters, estuaries, beaches, city waterfronts. Mostly along immediate coast, but regularly found well out at sea, especially between coast and nesting islands. Visits garbage dumps, ponds, and flat open areas such as parking lots within a few miles of coast, but almost never found farther inland. Nests on islands and locally on mainland cliffs.
Notes:
Spotted Half Moon Bay, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Vancouver island, Canada. (sources: see reference)
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