These Gulls know full well where food always can be found and seldom leave shore waters for the open sea. They are the characteristic, most abundant and widely distributed Gull of the Pacific shore.
The nesting colonies are often among other sea birds or even near sea lion rookeries, with all of which they are usually on friendly terms, especially if other food is plentiful.
When salmon-canning factories are in operation they become very fat and will hardly move out of an intruder's way.
As scavengers they are beneficial, making short work of refuse dumped on the shore.
Coasts and islands of North Pacific and Bering Sea. South in Winter to Lower California.