Bird Guide

California Gull vs Caspian Tern

California Gull (Larus californicus)

California Gull

Larus californicus

Large683 gCoastal

Adults are similar in appearance to the herring gull, but with brown eyes, yellow legs, and a more rounded head. The body is mainly white with grey back and upper wings. The bill is yellow with a black ring and red spot near the tip. They have black primaries with white tips. Immature birds are also similar in appearance to immature herring gulls, with browner plumage than immature ring-billed gulls. Length can range from 46 to 55 cm (18 to 22 in), the wingspan 122–137 cm (48–54 in) and body mass can vary from 430 to 1,045 g (0.948 to 2.304 lb).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Quinn Desilets · CC0
Photo: Eric Austin · CC BY 4.0
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)

Caspian Tern

Hydroprogne caspia

Large655 gWetland

It is the world's largest tern with a length of 48–60 cm (19–24 in), a wingspan of 127–145 cm (50–57 in) and a weight of 530–782 g (18.7–27.6 oz). Adult birds have black legs, and a long thick red-orange bill with a small black tip. They have a white head with a black cap and white neck, belly, and tail. The upper wings and back are pale grey; the underwings are pale with dark primary feathers. In-flight, the tail is less forked than other terns, and wingtips are black on the underside.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Joost van Bruggen · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Dan Horowitz · CC0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: California Gull and Caspian Tern.