California Gull (Larus californicus) [XC362782]
by Paul Marvin from J Street Marina, Chula Vista, San Diego Co, California, United States (flight call)
California Gull (Larus californicus) [XC109694]
by Paul Marvin from Westhaven State Park, Grays Harbor Co., Washington, United States (call)
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.