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Glaucous-winged Gull (also known commonly as Western Gull hybrid or Pacific Northwest Gull)
Contour or semiplume body feather, likely from the breast or underparts

Glaucous-winged Gull (also known commonly as Western Gull hybrid or Pacific Northwest 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 softly rounded tip and loose, fluffy structure overall
Size
Approximately 2 to 3 inches long, consistent with a soft body contour or covert feather from a medium-to-large gull species
Rarity
Very Common and abundant throughout its natural coastal range
Learn more about Glaucous-winged Gull (also known commonly as Western Gull hybrid or Pacific Northwest Gull) in the encyclopedia →

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Description

A soft, all-white body feather belonging to a large gull species common along the Pacific Northwest waterfront. Gulls are opportunistic, highly adaptable seabirds with robust bodies, webbed feet, and strong hooked bills.

Colour & Pattern

Pure uniform white across the entire feather, lacking any spots, barring, or melanin pigmentation

Barb Structure

Transitioning from pennaceous at the upper tip to plumulaceous (fluffy and loose without strong hooklets) near the base, typical of insulative body feathers

Texture & Surface

Soft, silky, and downy to the touch with a matte finish and high flexibility

Key Features

Pure white coloration combined with a soft, semiplume-like structure and small-to-moderate size typical of gull underparts

Habitat

Marine coastal environments, beaches, rocky shores, harbours, estuaries, and urban waterfront areas

Geographic Range

Pacific coast of North America from Alaska down to northwestern Mexico, year-round resident along the Pacific Northwest waterfront

Ecological Role

Act as important marine scavengers and top coastal predators, helping maintain marine ecosystem health by consuming carrion and organic waste

Similar Species

Other gulls such as the Western Gull or Mew Gull, which share similar white body plumage and coastal habitats

Interesting Facts

Glaucous-winged Gulls frequently hybridize with Western Gulls in the Pacific Northwest, producing offspring with variable gray-and-white mantle shades

Condition Notes

Fair condition with some slight fraying at the base and minor wear along the barbules, typical of a naturally molted feather found outdoors

Notes

Found in West Seattle near the waterfront

Glaucous-winged Gull (also known commonly as Western Gull hybrid or Pacific Northwest Gull) | Feather Identifier