Photo: Frank Schulenburg / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Shorebirds

California Gull

Larus californicus

California Gull (Larus californicus) — 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 the United States Birds of Alberta Birds of British Columbia Birds of Manitoba Birds of New Brunswick Birds of Newfoundland and Labrador Birds of Nova Scotia Birds of Northwest Territories Birds of Nunavut

By family

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Canada 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 Newfoundland and Labrador Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Nova Scotia Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Northwest Territories Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Nunavut

See what's near you right now

The California Gull (Larus californicus) is a member of the Laridae family found in North America. Adults weigh 683 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

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

Where it lives

Central Northwest Territories to central Manitoba (central Canada) to northeastern South Dakota; eastern Washington to Montana and south to Colorado and central California

North America

Quick facts

Weight: 683 g
Diet: Omnivores
Family: Laridae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Near Threatened

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The California 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 California Gull is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The California Gull (Larus californicus) is a species of bird in the Laridae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It is found across North America. Its distribution covers NA c Northwest Territories to c Manitoba (c Canada) to ne South Dakota; e Washington to Montana and s to Colorado and c California.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 683 g, with a wing length of about 37.7 cm and a tail of around 14 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 2 million km².

Songs & calls

California Gull — Call

Recorded by Richard E. Webster Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the California Gull?

The California Gull is a large bird that weighs around 683 g.

Where does the California Gull live?

The California Gull is found across North America with a range covering NA c Northwest Territories to c Manitoba (c Canada) to ne South Dakota; e Washington to Montana and s to Colorado and c California, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the California Gull belong to?

The California Gull (Larus californicus) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the California Gull eat?

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

Does the California Gull migrate?

The California Gull is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

Is the California Gull endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the California Gull make?

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

How large is the California Gull's range?

The California Gull has a mapped global range of about 2 million km².