California Gull (Larus californicus) [XC362502]
by Paul Marvin from J Street Marina, Chula Vista, San Diego Co, California, United States (call)
California Gull (Larus californicus) [XC572578]
by Andrew Spencer from J Street Marina, Chula Vista, San Diego Co, California, 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.