Gulls, or colloquially seagulls, are seabirds of the subfamily Larinae. They are most closely related to terns and skimmers, distantly related to auks, and even more distantly related to waders.

2025年3月3日 · Gull, any of more than 40 species of heavily built web-footed seabirds of the gull and tern family Laridae (order Charadriiformes). Several genera are usually recognized for certain specialized gulls, but many authorities place these in the broad genus Larus.

Look for American Herring Gulls in winter along coasts and near large reservoirs, lakes, and major rivers. They feed in habitats as diverse as open water, mudflats, plowed fields, and garbage dumps, and gather in almost any open space near food.

If you’re like me, you’ll be surprised to find out that there is no specific bird called a “seagull!” Instead, gulls are a diverse family of birds with different habitats, ranges, and color patterns. I’ve also included terns in the list below, a closely related subgroup of gulls.

Gulls are often thought of as coastal birds, but California Gulls are also common in inland areas in the West. These medium-sized gulls breed in colonies on islands and levees in lakes and rivers.

The Western Gull is widespread along Pacific beaches of the U.S. and Baja California, where its large size and dark back set it apart from other local gulls. Be aware that hybrids between Western and Glaucous-winged Gulls are common, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.

Gulls are among our most difficult birds to identify. This guide offers an introduction to gull watching, highlighting some of the key features to help identify gulls.

Who This Course is For. This course delivers a streamlined look at the advanced topic of gull ID. It’s designed for intermediate to advanced birders looking to understand gull variation, confidently deal with pesky look-alike gulls, and learn to ID North American gulls to the species level.; Adventurous ID beginners will also get a lot out of the course and will come away being able to …

The only gull nesting along most of the Pacific Coast from Washington to Baja, this large species is common at all seasons. An opportunist, it often nests around colonies of other seabirds, where it...

Also known as the Mew Gull, this adaptable seabird thrives in coastal areas and urban spaces alike, known for its piercing calls and opportunistic feeding habits. Visual Identification. The Common Gull has a white head and underparts, with a pale grey back and wings. Its wingtips are distinctively black, creating a striking contrast.