It is found near all oceans and many inland waters.
Gulls are larger and bulkier than terns, and their tails are squared rather than forked.
Their plumage is usually white with gray or black markings on the back, wings, and head. Their long, narrow wings are adapted to soaring and their webbed feet to swimming. They are often seen hovering over the wakes of ships, seeking refuse, and frequenting garbage dumps. It is found on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and on the Great Lakes. The California and western gulls are common on the Pacific coast.