The California gull (Larus californicus) is a medium-sized gull, smaller on average than the herring gull, but larger on average than the ring-billed gull (though it may overlap in size with both). Although named after California, it can be found annually across most of western North America, from the Canadian prairie provinces in the northeast and south through western Mexico.

Distribution and habitat

The breeding habitat of the California gull are lakes and marshes in interior western North America from the Northwest Territories, Canada south to eastern California and Colorado.

Behavior

thumb|Feeding on [[Ephydridae|brine flies, in San Diego]]

These birds forage in flight or pick up objects while swimming, walking or wading. They mainly eat insects, fish and the eggs and young of other birds, especially ducklings. Opportunistic feeders, California gulls often can be seen scavenging at garbage dumps, marinas and docks. They may follow fishing boats and plows in fields for insects stirred up by this activity. They frequently beg for food at public beaches, parks and other locations where people will hand feed them. They have been known to steal food from people at picnics and outdoor restaurants.

California gulls are also known to eat various vegetables and fruits, particularly cherries.

State bird

The California gull is the state bird of Utah,

Further reading

  • Burger, Joanna & Gochfeld, Michael (1996): 13. California Gull. In: del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew & Sargatal, Jordi (editors): Handbook of Birds of the World, Volume 3: Hoatzin to Auks: 604–605, plate 50. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
  • Harrison, Peter (1991): Seabirds: An Identification Guide. Houghton Mifflin.
  • National Geographic Society (2002): Field Guide to the Birds of North America. National Geographic, Washington DC.
  • Winkler, D. W. (1996): California Gull (Larus californicus). In: Poole, A. & Gill, F.: The Birds of North America 259. The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA & The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.
  • Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter: California gull information and pictures.
  • California Gull Species Account at Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  • California Gull at Animal Diversity Web

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