California Gull vs Heermann's Gull
Larus californicus compared with Larus heermanni
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | California Gull | Heermann's Gull |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus californicus | Larus heermanni |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 75.4 cm (29.7 in) | 67.2 cm (26.5 in) |
| Weight | 717.5 g (25.31 oz) | 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
California Gull
Near Threatened
Heermann's Gull
About These Birds
California Gull
California Gull, 46–55 cm, breeds at inland lakes of western North America and winters on the Pacific coast. Yellow bill with red and black spot, greenish-yellow legs. Omnivore; famous for saving Utah crickets crops in 1848 — commemorated as Utah's state bird. Strongly migratory.
Heermann's Gull
Heermann's Gull, 46–51 cm, is distinctive — dark grey body, white head (breeding), red bill. Breeds almost entirely on Isla Rasa in the Gulf of California, then disperses north along the Pacific coast to British Columbia. Kleptoparasite; steals fish from Brown Pelicans. Near Threatened; range highly restricted.