Larus pacificus Latham, 1801

Range Distinction

Pacific gulls are the only large gulls in their native range, aside from occasional individual kelp gulls.

Adult Size

Adult Pacific gulls measure 58 to 66 cm (23 to 26 in) in length, with a wingspan of 137 to 157 cm (54 to 62 in), and typically weigh between 900 and 1,180 g (1.98 to 2.60 lb).

Adult Plumage

Their plumage is mostly white, with dark wings and a dark back.

Adult Bill Structure

They have a very thick, powerful yellow bill with a red tip, which is noticeably thicker than the bills of most other gull species.

Salt Gland Adaptation

Like many seabirds, they possess salt glands that secrete excess salt as salty water through the nostrils.

Juvenile Plumage

Juvenile Pacific gulls are covered in mottled brown plumage across their entire bodies, and develop adult plumage gradually.

Maturation Timeline

By their fourth year, young Pacific gulls are usually almost indistinguishable from fully mature adult birds.

Subspecies Recognition

There are two recognized subspecies of this species.

Subspecies Habitat Preferences

The nominate eastern subspecies favors sheltered beach habitats, while the western subspecies L. p. georgii regularly occurs even on exposed shorelines.

Nesting Social Structure

Both subspecies nest either in pairs or in loose colonies on offshore islands.

Nest Construction and Clutch

They build cup-shaped nests from grasses and sticks in exposed locations, and lay two or three mottled brown eggs per clutch.