California Gull vs Mediterranean Gull
Larus californicus compared with Larus melanocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | California Gull | Mediterranean Gull |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus californicus | Larus melanocephalus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 75.4 cm (29.7 in) | 60.5 cm (23.8 in) |
| Weight | 717.5 g (25.31 oz) | 282.5 g (9.96 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
California Gull only
None
Mediterranean Gull only
None
Conservation Status
Least Concern
California Gull
Least Concern
Mediterranean 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.
Mediterranean Gull
Mediterranean Gull, 36–38 cm, has expanded dramatically since the 1970s, breeding across Europe from the Black Sea to Britain. Pure white body, jet-black hood in breeding plumage — the only gull with entirely white wingtips. Piscivore and invertivore; nests in colonies, often with Black-headed Gulls.