Other common birds on Washington Beaches:

Laridae Family
Larinae Subfamily

Larus occidentalis (western gull)

Photo by Holly Beimler

This bird is commonly seen, but very difficult to identify.  They interbreed with the glaucous-winged gull.  These hybrid offspring can resemble either parent, various combinations of the two, or they may also resemble a third species of gull, Thayer’s gull.  These birds are found year-round in the northwest.  They are very adaptable to different habitats, but they are still generally found close to salt water.

Identifying features:

• Length – roughly 26 inches with a 58 inch wingspan
• White head and belly
• Pale pink legs
• Dark gray wings with very dark gray back
• Sounds: kuk kuk kuk, whee whee whee and ki-aa
• Glaucous-winged gulls are a much lighter gray, and California gulls have a black spot next to the red spot on their bills with yellow legs
• Juvenile plumage is mottle gray and lasts from one to five years.  These are challenging to identify for even the most advanced bird watcher.

Habitat preferences:
These birds prefer marine habitats, but they are very adaptable and have learned to utilize humans for food.  They can also be found at inland lakes, rivers and cities.

(Baron and Acorn 1997, Morse et al. 2003, Peterson 1990)

Accipitridae Family
Accipitrinae Subfamily

Haliaeetus leucocephalus (bald eagle)

Photo by Don Getty

(Peterson 1990)

This web page is part of the UWT Marine Ecology 2008 Class Project.

Web page by Holly C. Beimler: Environmental Studies, Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, University of Washington Tacoma.