Large White-headed Gulls (Larus) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Large White-headed Gulls (Larus) are a group of gulls found around U.S. beaches, lakes, and parking lots. Members include Ring-billed Gulls and the much larger Herring Gulls. Young birds are often brown and mottled, and many species take years to develop their adult colors.

In this group

American Herring GullLarus smithsonianus

This large pink-legged gull is widespread across northern and eastern North America. Adults have a thick yellow bill with a red spot near the tip.

Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensis

Common across much of the United States, it is smaller and slimmer than an American Herring Gull. Adults have yellow legs and a black ring near the bill tip.

California GullLarus californicus

This inland-breeding western gull is common around lakes and reservoirs and winters toward the Pacific Coast. Adults have a red-and-black mark on the bill.

Western GullLarus occidentalis

Look for this heavy dark-backed gull along the Pacific Coast. Its pink legs help separate adults from several yellow-legged species.

Glaucous-winged GullLarus glaucescens

This large gull is common in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Adult wingtips are pale gray rather than sharply black.

Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus

This is the largest regularly seen gull on the Atlantic Coast and Great Lakes. Adults have a massive bill and a nearly black back.

Appearance

How to recognize it: Adults usually have a white head and underparts with a gray to black back. A sturdy bill, webbed feet, leg color, and back shade help with identification; some species have pale rather than black wingtips.
Seasonal forms: Young birds are mostly brown and mottled. Many Larus gulls take three to five years to reach full adult , so age must be considered before comparing species.

Look-alikes

True TernsSterninae

Many terns look slimmer, with more pointed wings and bills and often a forked tail. Larus gulls usually look sturdier, though some large terns can be confusing.

Why they get mixed upBoth groups gather along coasts and estuaries.

Three familiar U.S. Larus gulls in adult plumage

	Size	Bill and back
Ring-billed Gull	Medium	Black ring on yellow bill; pale gray back
American Herring Gull	Large	Stout yellow bill with red spot; pale gray back
Great Black-backed Gull	Very large	Massive bill; nearly black back

Where it lives

Typical habitats: coasts and harbors
large lakes and rivers
urban waterfronts and landfills
Range: Larus gulls occur worldwide, with their greatest diversity in the Northern Hemisphere. In the United States, different species are common on the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf, and Great Lakes coasts as well as inland waters.
Seasonal presence: Some species stay in one region year-round, while northern breeders spread south or toward open water in winter.
When it’s recorded: Recorded year-round, every year
149,767 observations in the US · 10 years · for referenceChoose a state

Behavior

Diet: They eat fish and many other animal foods, scavenge dead animals, and often use food discarded by people. The mix varies by species and location.

Name and classification

About the name: The includes several very similar gulls whose species boundaries are viewed differently by some researchers.
Group name: Larus includes many large white-headed gulls, along with a few that look different, such as Heermann’s Gull. Everyday “gull” and “seagull” also cover gulls in other genera.

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