California Gull

Overview
California Gull: Moderately large gull, white body, gray wings, black wing tips. Bill is yellow with red and black spot near tip of bill on lower mandible. Legs are yellow; eye is dark with red orbital ring. Strong direct flight with deep wing beats. Soars on thermals and updrafts.

Range and Habitat
California Gull: Breeds in northern prairie provinces east to North Dakota, south to northwestern Wyoming and Utah, and west to northeastern California. Spends winters mainly on the coast from Oregon southward, in lesser numbers inland. In breeding season, preferred habitats include interior lakes and marshes, while in winter, are found mostly on the coast.

INTERESTING FACTS
California Gulls are opportunistic feeders and can be found following farm cultivators or eating garbage depending on what’s available. In 1955, this bird became the state bird of Utah. It received this honor for saving Mormon settlers in 1848 when their crops were being devastated by crickets. It takes four years for California gulls to mature. A group of gulls has many collective nouns, including a "flotilla", "gullery", "screech", "scavenging", and "squabble" of gulls.