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Description
As a general rule, gulls are difficult to identify to species, especially when they're not fully grown. But one North American species stands out from the rest, Heermann's Gull (Larus heermanni) is an exception to rule, no matter what plumage it's in. Adults like this one are virtually unmistakable; the chocolate brown juveniles are much more likely to mistaken for a young jaeger, though they lack the light scalloping. A west coast endemic, they are common at most times of year, at least south of San Francisco. Because of their restricted range they are considered a protected species; and they definitely know they're protected, they are a bold species and often act piratical toward other birds and unwary picnickers! This individual is being surprisingly calm, probably just biding its time before striking!

I have made a rather interesting observation with regards to this species. Several months ago, I saw a juvenile attack an American Crow for seemingly no reason. It never made contact, and there was no food involved. At one point, the tables turned and the crow began chasing the gull. This went back and forth for about three minutes, with another crow and another young gull getting involved at one point. It was a lot of chasing, but no biting or pecking as far as I could tell. Then, suddenly, the two birds settled on some rocks within feet of each other, as if nothing had happened at all! I can only wonder, gulls and crows are both very intelligent, was this an example of interspecies play?!

Photographed in Dana Point Harbor, southern California.

Description
As a general rule, gulls are difficult to identify to species, especially when they're not fully grown. But one North American species stands out from the rest, Heermann's Gull (Larus heermanni) is an exception to rule, no matter what plumage it's in. Adults like this one are virtually unmistakable; the chocolate brown juveniles are much more likely to mistaken for a young jaeger, though they lack the light scalloping. A west coast endemic, they are common at most times of year, at least south of San Francisco. Because of their restricted range they are considered a protected species; and they definitely know they're protected, they are a bold species and often act piratical toward other birds and unwary picnickers! This individual is being surprisingly calm, probably just biding its time before striking!

I have made a rather interesting observation with regards to this species. Several months ago, I saw a juvenile attack an American Crow for seemingly no reason. It never made contact, and there was no food involved. At one point, the tables turned and the crow began chasing the gull. This went back and forth for about three minutes, with another crow and another young gull getting involved at one point. It was a lot of chasing, but no biting or pecking as far as I could tell. Then, suddenly, the two birds settled on some rocks within feet of each other, as if nothing had happened at all! I can only wonder, gulls and crows are both very intelligent, was this an example of interspecies play?!

Photographed in Dana Point Harbor, southern California.