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Glaucous-winged Gull (also known as Grey-winged Gull)
Primary flight feather (remige), likely an outer primary

Glaucous-winged Gull (also known as Grey-winged Gull)

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Laridae, Genus: Larus, Species: L. glaucescens

Family: Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)

Shape
Symmetrical vane with a slightly rounded tip and elongated, tapered outline, typical of a flight feather
Size
Approximately 8 to 10 inches long, consistent with a medium-sized gull primary flight feather
Rarity
Very Common within its native Pacific Northwest coastal range
Learn more about Glaucous-winged Gull (also known as Grey-winged Gull) in the encyclopedia →

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Description

The Glaucous-winged Gull is a large, bulky gull with pale grey mantle and wings, pinkish legs, and white head and underparts. Found frequently along Pacific beaches, they are resourceful scavengers and predators.

Colour & Pattern

Pale greyish-white with a subtle gradient and a darker subterminal brownish-grey area near the rounded tip, showing typical gulls' melanin-based pigmentation

Barb Structure

Pennaceous vane with tightly interlocked barbs and barbules across the upper portion, transitioning to a slightly plumulaceous base near the calamus

Texture & Surface

Smooth, firm, and slightly stiff vane designed to withstand air resistance during flight, with a matte appearance

Key Features

Pale grey coloration with a lighter or frosted wingtip pattern, robust white-to-pale rachis, and stiff pennaceous structure without stark black wingtip markings

Habitat

Coastal marine environments, beaches, rocky shores, estuaries, and urban areas near water

Geographic Range

Pacific coast of North America from Alaska down to Washington, Oregon, and northern California

Ecological Role

Acts as an important coastal scavenger and apex marine predator, helping regulate intertidal populations and clean organic debris

Similar Species

Western Gull and Mew Gull, distinguished primarily by darker wingtip markings in Western Gulls and smaller overall size in Mew Gulls

Interesting Facts

Glaucous-winged Gulls frequently hybridize with Western Gulls where their ranges overlap, producing offspring with variable wingtip patterns

Condition Notes

Good condition with minor wear at the tip, intact barbs, and no major structural damage or staining

Notes

Found in Seattle by a beach