The Western Gull is often the most common species of gull on much of the west coast. It is a large dark-backed gull with a heavy, even brutish, yellow bill and pink legs. Adults change little from alternate to basic plumage, only acquiring a light streaking on the hind-neck in basic. The Western has been recorded in Texas six times, most recently in Corpus Christi in 2019.
The identification of the Western is usually straight-forward. It is a heavily-built gull with a dark back, clean white head and a stout bill. It is similar to the Yellow-footed Gull, but has pink legs and feet. In flight the underwing pattern of the Western is reminiscent of that of the Swainson’s Hawk.
