Glaucous-winged Gull

Large, bulky gull with pale grey wings and back. Adults have pink legs and a dark eye. They are opportunistic scavengers known for their versatile flight and loud, raucous calls.

Overall pearly-grey or 'glaucous' wash on the upper surface of the vane, transitioning to a white base. Lacks the stark black tips found in many other gull species.

Mostly pennaceous (tightly interlocked) for flight efficiency, with a small plumulaceous (fluffy) section at the base for insulation.

The rachis is thick, white, and slightly curved; barbs are densely packed at an acute angle to provide a rigid, wind-resistant surface.

Smooth, stiff, and somewhat oily/waxy for water resistance; the surface has a matte to semi-glossy finish typical of marine birds.

Wing; the asymmetry indicates it is a large flight feather, likely one of the inner primaries or outer secondaries.

Absence of black pigmentation in the wingtip (replaced by grey), large size, and the characteristic pearly-white rachis.

Coastal marine environments, rocky shores, estuaries, and increasingly urban areas such as parking lots and landfills.

Pacific coast of North America, ranging from Alaska and the Aleutian Islands south to northwestern Mexico during winter.

Apex scavenger and predator in coastal ecosystems; important for nutrient cycling but can impact other seabird colonies.

Western Gull (darker grey), Glaucous Gull (much whiter), Herring Gull (has black wingtips with white 'mirrors').

Glaucous-winged Gulls areso closely related to Western Gulls that they frequently hybridize, creating a population known as 'Olympic Gulls'.

Gulls have historically been a food source for indigenous coastal peoples; feathers were occasionally used for bedding or insulation.

Often found during post-breeding molt (late summer/autumn) on beaches or near large colonies.

Good condition; slight wear at the tip suggests it was molted naturally. No visible fault bars or parasite damage.