Short-billed Gull

Larus brachyrhynchus

Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of North America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Canada Birds of Japan Birds of Mexico Birds of Portugal Birds of the United States Birds of Alberta Birds of British Columbia Birds of Manitoba Birds of New Brunswick Birds of Northwest Territories

By family

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Canada Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Japan Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Mexico Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Portugal Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of the United States Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Alberta Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of British Columbia Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Manitoba Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of New Brunswick Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Northwest Territories

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The Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus) is a member of the Laridae family found in North America. Adults weigh 412 g.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Gulls, Terns, Skimmers
Genus Larus
Species brachyrhynchus

Where it lives

Western, northern Alaska mainland south to Vancouver I. (southwestern British Columbia), and northwestern Canada east to northwestern Alberta

North America

Quick facts

Weight: 412 g
Diet: Omnivores
Family: Laridae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Short-billed Gull is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Behaviour

A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Short-billed Gull is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

The Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus) is a species of bird in the Laridae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across North America. Its distribution covers NA w, n Alaska mainland s to Vancouver I. (sw British Columbia), and nw Canada e to nw Alberta.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 412 g, with a wing length of about 35.1 cm and a tail of around 13.4 cm.

Songs & calls

Short-billed Gull — Alarm call

Recorded by Seth Beaudreault Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Short-billed Gull?

The Short-billed Gull is a large bird that weighs around 412 g.

Where does the Short-billed Gull live?

The Short-billed Gull is found across North America with a range covering NA w, n Alaska mainland s to Vancouver I. (sw British Columbia), and nw Canada e to nw Alberta, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Short-billed Gull belong to?

The Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Short-billed Gull eat?

The Short-billed Gull is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Does the Short-billed Gull migrate?

The Short-billed Gull is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

What sound does the Short-billed Gull make?

1 real field recording of the Short-billed Gull — including its alarm call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.