: The Seagull of the Pacific Coast
The Western Gull is a seabird found along the Pacific coast, ranging from Alaska to Baja California. This species is a large gull and has a distinctive gray back with white wings and belly. Its yellow bill is tipped in red, and its eyes are dark.
Where To Find This Bird:
Western Gulls can be found near coastal areas such as beaches, cliffs, piers, harbors, estuaries or rocky islands where they nest communally in colonies. They also migrate inland during the winter months and have been known to visit landfills for food.
Habitat:
These birds prefer habitats that provide them with easy access to food sources such as marine life (fishes), intertidal creatures (crabs), and human waste (garbage). They are non-migratory birds but change their feeding grounds based on seasonal variations.
Food:
Western Gulls are opportunistic feeders often seen scavenging along shorelines or following boats looking for discarded offal. Adults mainly rely on fish while the young ones primarily feed on crustaceans like crabs and shrimps. They may also eat insects or small mammals if they’re available.
Cool Facts:
Did you know that there’s an interesting behavior that Western Gulls display? During breeding season, males will bring females different gifts such as shells or even pieces of plastic! These “gifts” often serve as part of courtship rituals between pairs.
Another fun fact about Western Gulls is that they have excellent vision! Their keen eyesight allows them to spot prey from great distances which come in handy when hunting for food – especially over open water bodies!
Overall, the Western gull plays an important role not only in maintaining a healthy ecosystem but also serves as an indicator species highlighting changes in ocean health due to pollution or habitat destruction threats. As humans continue to expand settlements into natural habitats, it’s crucial that we find ways to coexist with these birds and minimize human-wildlife conflicts.
