Yellow-Footed Gull

Larus livens

Once believed to be a subspecies of the Western Gull, the Yellow-Footed Gull was given full species status in the 1960s. Current scientific thought is this bird is more closely related to the Kelp Gull (L. dominicanus) of the southern hemisphere than to the Western Gull.

Yellow-Footed Gulls are monotypic (i.e. no subspecies are currently recognized).

Most scientists agree we need more research into the lives of the Yellow-Footed Gulls. Theirs is the smallest population of all North American gulls. On the subjects of foraging and dispersal, very little research has been done.

All known breeding occurs in the Gulf of California. In the USA we can find post breeding birds at the Salton Sea.

Whenever I visit the Salton Sea between May and August, when they normally visit, I look along the shore and sand beaches for these gulls. Herring Gulls, Ring-Billed Gulls, California Gulls, Laughing Gulls; all might keep company with these birds. When seen side-by-side, the obviously larger size of the Yellow-Footed Gulls helps to identify them.