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Sabine's Gull vs Western Gull

Xema sabini versus Larus occidentalis

Play a quiz with Sabine's Gull and Western Gull

Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini) Sabine's Gull
Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) Western Gull

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In short

Sabine's Gull and Western Gull are both members of the Laridae family but are distinguishable by size, plumage, and behavior. Sabine's Gull is smaller with a distinctive black bill tipped with yellow and a notched tail, while the Western Gull is larger with a more robust build and lacks these features.

Identification tips

Look for the black bill with a yellow tip and notched tail in Sabine's Gull. In contrast, the Western Gull is larger and lacks these features. Consider the habitat: Sabine's Gull is more likely in Arctic regions, while Western Gull is coastal along the Pacific.

Size

Sabine's Gull is notably smaller and more delicate compared to the robust and larger Western Gull.

Plumage

Sabine's Gull has a unique black bill with a yellow tip and a notched tail, whereas the Western Gull has a more typical gull appearance without these distinctive features.

Behaviour

Sabine's Gull exhibits behaviors more akin to shorebirds and terns, such as distraction displays and feeding methods, while Western Gulls are more typical of gulls, often seen in large colonies on islands and offshore rocks.

Habitat

Sabine's Gull is often found in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, while Western Gulls are primarily coastal, found along the Pacific coast of North America.

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Sabine's Gull and Western Gull are both members of the Laridae family but are distinguishable by size, plumage, and behavior. Sabine's Gull is smaller with a distinctive black bill tipped with yellow and a notched tail, while the Western Gull is larger with a more robust build and lacks these features.

Look for the black bill with a yellow tip and notched tail in Sabine's Gull. In contrast, the Western Gull is larger and lacks these features. Consider the habitat: Sabine's Gull is more likely in Arctic regions, while Western Gull is coastal along the Pacific.

Sabine's Gull is notably smaller and more delicate compared to the robust and larger Western Gull.

Sabine's Gull has a unique black bill with a yellow tip and a notched tail, whereas the Western Gull has a more typical gull appearance without these distinctive features.

Sabine's Gull exhibits behaviors more akin to shorebirds and terns, such as distraction displays and feeding methods, while Western Gulls are more typical of gulls, often seen in large colonies on islands and offshore rocks.

Sabine's Gull is often found in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, while Western Gulls are primarily coastal, found along the Pacific coast of North America.

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Sabine's Gull · Western Gull · My Tricky Birds