Wildlife

Seabirds of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

Glaucous-winged Gull

(Larus glaucescens)

Because of their preference for nearshore habitats and for human settlements and associated artificial food supplies, glaucous-winged gulls are the most visible of Alaska’s seabirds.

RANGE

This gull breeds from the Commander Islands (Russia) and islands of the southern Bering Sea, south to northwestern Washington. In the southern portion of its range, including several sites in Alaska, this species is known to hybridize with herring gulls.

NESTING HABITAT

Nesting occurs on sandbar islands, the flat tops of more rugged islands, and along beaches. These gulls also nest on cliffs which are inaccessible to mammalian predators. Nests are a grass-lined scrape.

EGGS

Three eggs are generally laid per clutch.

FOOD HABITS

Glaucous-winged gulls are omnivorous and highly opportunistic in their food habits. The diet includes a variety of intertidal prey such as crabs, limpets, and sea urchins, as well as fish, garbage, offal, spent salmon in spawning streams, and occasionally, insects or small mammals.

PREDATOR on OTHER BIRDS

Glaucous-winged gulls are the principal predator on eggs and young of other species at seabird colonies within their range. They also prey on adult birds of the smaller species. Gulls take advantage of unprotected nests when adults are flushed from their nests by loud noises or humans visiting seabird colonies. LEARN MORE

Last updated:September 8, 2008