Glaucous-winged Gull (Western Gull hybrid often included)

The Glaucous-winged Gull is a large, bulky gull with pale grey wings and back, white head and underparts, and pinkish-great legs. It is well adapted to marine life and coastal human habitation.

Pale silvery grey upper vane transitioning to a crisp white tip and base, characteristic of the mantle or scapular feathers of large white-headed gulls

Pennaceous upper portion with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels, transitioning to a slightly more plumulaceous base

Smooth, soft yet relatively firm vane with a matte finish and a clean, fresh appearance

Pale silvery-grey coloration combined with a clean white tip, soft flexible texture, and slender white rachis typical of large Larus species

Marine coastal environments, rocky shores, beaches, estuaries, and increasingly urban areas such as parking lots and landfills

Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska down to northwestern Mexico, spending winters along marine coastlines

Acts as an opportunistic scavenger and marine predator, helping to maintain coastal ecosystem balance

Western Gull and Herring Gull, which share similar body feather structures but often feature darker grey or brownish mantle tones

Glaucous-winged Gulls frequently hybridize with Western Gulls where their ranges overlap in the Pacific Northwest, creating offspring with variable mantle shades

Good condition, relatively fresh with intact barbs and minimal fraying or wear