Photo: Diliff / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Shorebirds

Western Gull

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) — 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 Costa Rica Birds of Japan Birds of Mexico Birds of the United States Birds of Alberta Birds of British Columbia Birds of Saskatchewan Birds of Alaska Birds of Arizona

By family

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Canada Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Costa Rica Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Japan Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Mexico Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of the United States Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Alberta Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of British Columbia Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Saskatchewan Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Alaska Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Arizona

See what's near you right now

The Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) is a member of the Laridae family found in Central America & Caribbean and North America. Adults weigh 923 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 occidentalis

Where it lives

Western North Pacific coast from northwestern Washington to I. Guadelupe and central Baja California (northwestern Mexico)

Quick facts

Weight: 923 g
Diet: Omnivores
Family: Laridae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

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

Behaviour

A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.

Migration

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

The Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) is a species of bird in the Laridae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Central America & Caribbean and North America. Its distribution covers NA, MA w North Pacific coast from nw Washington to I. Guadelupe and c Baja California (nw Mexico).

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 923 g, with a wing length of about 39.8 cm and a tail of around 14.5 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 92,000 km².

Songs & calls

Western Gull — Call, long call

Recorded by Thomas G. Graves Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Western Gull?

The Western Gull is a very large bird that weighs around 923 g.

Where does the Western Gull live?

The Western Gull is found across Central America & Caribbean and North America with a range covering NA, MA w North Pacific coast from nw Washington to I. Guadelupe and c Baja California (nw Mexico), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Western Gull belong to?

The Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Western Gull eat?

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

Does the Western Gull migrate?

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

Is the Western 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 Western Gull make?

1 real field recording of the Western 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 Western Gull's range?

The Western Gull has a mapped global range of about 92,000 km².