Glaucous-winged Gull

The Glaucous-winged Gull is a large, thickset gull common along the coastlines of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Adults have a medium gray mantle, and unlike most large gulls, the wingtips are only slightly darker gray rather than black, blending subtly with the rest of the wing rather than contrasting sharply.

The bill is yellow with a red spot near the tip, the legs pink, and the eye typically dark, though some individuals show a paler eye. Immature birds are mottled gray-brown overall, taking about four years to reach adult plumage.

This species commonly hybridizes with the Western Gull where their ranges overlap in Washington and Oregon, producing a range of intermediate-looking birds sometimes informally called "Olympic Gulls."

Key field marks

• Medium gray mantle with wingtips only slightly darker gray (not black)
• Yellow bill with a red gonydeal spot
• Pink legs
• Typically dark eye
• Bulky, rounded build

Similar species

• Western Gull: notably darker mantle with a stronger contrast to the white head; hybrids between the two are common in the zone of overlap.
• Glaucous Gull: paler still, with wingtips essentially white, not gray.
• Herring Gull: shows clear black-and-white wingtips, unlike the subtle gray tips of Glaucous-winged Gull.

Habitat

A coastal species found on rocky shorelines, beaches, harbors, piers, and offshore islands, rarely straying far inland.

Range and migration

Breeds along the coasts of Alaska, British Columbia, and northern Washington and Oregon; largely resident, with some post-breeding dispersal southward along the coast in winter.

Behavior

An adaptable and opportunistic species, common around fishing docks, canneries, and landfills, often forming large loafing flocks on beaches and rooftops in coastal towns.

Voice

Calls are similar to other large gulls, including deep "kyow" notes and a long call given during territorial displays.

Feeding

Opportunistic, taking fish, marine invertebrates such as mussels and crabs, carrion, seabird eggs, and human refuse.

Nesting and breeding

Nests colonially on rocky islands and coastal cliffs, building a ground scrape lined with grass and debris. Clutches typically contain two to three eggs, incubated by both parents for about a month.