(Flight & Subadult pictures. Some deleted text replaced. Taxonomy. References) |
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[[Image:20082IMG 4980-Vel-Resized-BF.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|janruss|janruss}}<br />Cape Meares, [[Oregon]], October 2005]] | [[Image:20082IMG 4980-Vel-Resized-BF.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|janruss|janruss}}<br />Cape Meares, [[Oregon]], October 2005]] | ||
====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>==== | ====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>==== | ||
| − | This is a [[ | + | This is a [[Dictionary_P-S#P|polytypic]] species consisting of two subspecies: |
*''L. c. californicus'': | *''L. c. californicus'': | ||
:*Eastern [[Washington]] to [[Wyoming]]; winters to southern [[Mexico]] | :*Eastern [[Washington]] to [[Wyoming]]; winters to southern [[Mexico]] | ||
*''L. c. albertaensis'': | *''L. c. albertaensis'': | ||
:*Southern Mackenzie, [[Alberta]] and western [[Manitoba]] to [[South Dakota]] | :*Southern Mackenzie, [[Alberta]] and western [[Manitoba]] to [[South Dakota]] | ||
| + | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
Revision as of 20:12, 28 June 2014
- Larus californicus
Identification
A medium sized white-headed gull, in between Ring-billed Gull and Herring Gull with darker grey back, yellow legs, dark eye, and red and black marks on slightly longer bill than Ring-billed.
Similar Species
Ring-billed Gull is smaller with lighter back, pale eye, and broad black ring on bill. 1st winter Ring-billed similar to 2nd winter California but back much lighter grey, and pink legs (California 2nd winter have blueish legs).
Herring Gull is much larger Adult similar but with larger bill with red spot but no ring, pink legs, pale eye, more extensive streaking on neck.
Distribution
Breeds in the great plains and rocky mountain regions of the United States and Canada. Winters along the pacific coast from British Columbia south to Mexico. Rare but regular vagrant to Texas. Casual vagrant to eastern United States.
Accidental vagrant to Alaska, Yukon Territory and Japan.
Taxonomy
Subspecies[1]
This is a polytypic species consisting of two subspecies:
- L. c. californicus:
- Eastern Washington to Wyoming; winters to southern Mexico
- L. c. albertaensis:
- Southern Mackenzie, Alberta and western Manitoba to South Dakota
Habitat
Behaviour
Breeding
They nest in a shallow depression on the ground lined with vegetation and feathers. The clutch consists of 2-3 eggs which are tended both parents.
Diet
The diet includes eat insects, fish and eggs. They scavenge.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) California Gull. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 23 June 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/California_Gull
