CALIFORNIA GULL

California Gulls are four-year gulls. They achieve adult plumage in their fourth year of life. All pictured birds were photographed in Redding, California, during the non-breeding season. [Sibley, p. 215; National Geographic, 4th Ed., p. 200, 201 & 213]

First Cycle

Note the lack of markings (checkering, etc.) on this bird and the grayish, black-centered feathers of the scapulars. Some first cycle California Gulls have more marking and can be confused with Herring Gulls. Most first cycle California Gulls aquire a pale bill with a black tip by mid-fall. Some, however, retain a juvenile bill, which is dark with a pale base.

Another first cycle California Gull (photographed through a spotting scope).

Unlike the bird below, the feathers on this first cycle California Gull have no patterning and little contrast.

The dark brown secondaries form a trailing wing bar easily visible in flight. The greater wing covers are also dark brown (with whitish tips) and form a second dark bar. California Gull often has this wing pattern, which usually helps differenciate it from Herring. Occasionally you will encounter gulls of both species that do not fit the norm.

Second Cycle

The second year California Gull has much gray in the mantle, scapulars, and median coverts. The bill and legs are also gray. There is a black band around the tip of the bill similar to that in a Ring-billed Gull (in this individual, it looks more like a black tip to the bill).

A second winter California Gull alighting on the ground. Distinctive are the white "rump," black tail, and gray upper body parts (except for the wing). There are some gray feathers in the inner median coverts, otherwise the overwing is closer to first cycle than it is to third cycle or adult, which both have gray wings. The two inner primaries (P1 and P2) are very pale, forming a "window" similar to that on a second cycle Herring Gull but not as extensive.

Third Cycle

A third cycle California Gull in flight. Note the adult look. Noteable differences are a distinct black tailband, black in the greater and lesser primary coverts, and hints of brown in an otherwise gray overwing. This individual has A-spots and mirrors, but they aren't as well developed as on an adult.

Adult

An adult California Gull. The black and red mark on the bill is distinctive. It has a dark eye. The mantle is a darker gray than Ring-billed Gull and Herring Gull. The mantle color is observable from a distance and makes a good field mark. However, lighting conditions can have a significant effect on how dark or light the mantle appears.

This adult California Gull appears to have a small black mark on one of its inner tail feathers (retrices), suggesting it not been an adult for long. Note that P9 and P10 (the two outermost primaries) each have a mirror and an A-spot. In my experience, a Ring-billed Gull does not have an A-spot on P10.

© 2004 Ray Bruun