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The California Gull breeds throughout western Canada and the northwest United States and winters along the Pacific coast south to Mexico. Both the Christmas Bird Count and the Breeding Bird Survey suggest the population has increased since about 1970, though the magnitude of that increase is uncertain. Despite the data limitations, this adaptable species appears to be secure at present but could suffer from degradation of breeding habitat in future. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
The California Gull has likely benefited from decreased persecution by humans, increased food availability, on both its nesting (e.g. farms) and wintering (e.g. garbage dumps) grounds, and increased nesting habitat availability in the form of islands on reservoirs (Winkler 1996). However, because the species breeds in colonies on low-lying freshwater islands, it is susceptible to changing water levels (Winkler 1996). Altered precipitation regimes due to a changing climate, or changes in human use and management of freshwater resources could affect lake levels, potentially degrading breeding habitat and affecting a large number of individuals.
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.