Glaucous-winged Gull

Description:

The Glaucous-winged Gulls, Larus glaucescens (from Laridae, family of gulls, terns, and skimmers), are large, white-headed gulls that breed along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Oregon and mostly remain close to their breeding areas in winter. They are a familiar sight in developed areas. Adults have a body length of 24-27 inches, and a wingspan of around 54 inches, males larger than females. Adults are white with a pale grey back (hence specific name glaucescens: Latin for greying, from Greek glaukos, blue-grey). Wings are also pale grey, with small white patches. Large, heavy yellow bill with red spot. Skin around eyes purplish pink, iris silver to yellow powdered with brown, giving a dark appearance. Juvenile birds have a dark bill, and mottled grey plumage (Hoffman et al. 1978; Godfrey 1986)

Habitat:

Spotted in a Scarborough,Toronto city park near the harbour.

Notes:

Photos were taken by my sister, Nieva Suarez Adique.