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Western Gull - Larus occidentalis

Adults

Western Gull, Adults: Roberts Lake Park, Monterey, California, USA - 11th March 2007

A series of images of adult Western Gulls from Monterey follow which shows the following features:

- Bill: Bright yellow, deep and bulbous tipped

- Eye: Note pale but more pale greyish toned and flecked

- Upperparts: Mid to slaty grey

- Primaries: Short, black with bold white tips

- Legs: Pale to mid toned pink

Western Gull, Adult: Elkhorn Slough, Monterey, California, USA - 11th March 2007

Note the large single mirror on P10 which cuts 'inwards' on the outer edges. Also note the very small white tip to P10. There are not further mirrors. The tips to the remaining outer primaries increase in size towards the inner feathers. On P4 of the left where there is a narrow broken band whilst on the right wing there is only a dark mark on the outer web.

The trailing edge to the inner primaries and secondaries is broad and contrasts strongly with the slate grey upper-wing.

Western Gull, Adult: Morro Bay, California, USA - 22nd November 2009

This bird is still growing its outermost primary thus looks rather shorter winged than usual.

Western Gull, Adult: Morro Bay, California, USA - 22nd November 2009

Bird of the spp. wymani. Note the lack of contrast between the black primaries and the dark slaty grey of the rest of the upper-wing. This bird has a large mirror on P10 and a small mirror on the outer web of P9. The white trailing edge is typically broadest on the secondaries.