California Gull (Larus californicus) [XC159215]
by Ian Cruickshank from Rocky Point Bird Observatory, Metchosin, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada (call)
California Gull (Larus californicus) [XC159220]
by Ian Cruickshank from Rocky Point Bird Observatory, Metchosin, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada (call, calls, long calls)
Subspecies
Fossil from late Pleistocene of Oregon. The subspecies, formerly disjunct, have recently come together in northern plains, where a zone of secondary contact is forming. Genetic studies have shown little divergence between them.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
albertaensis Jehl, 1987 - Southern Mackenzie (Great Slake L), Alberta and western Manitoba to South Dakota.
californicus Lawrence, 1854 - Eastern Washington and Great Basin to central Montana and Wyoming.