Distribution: Larus argentatus breeds in North America and Eurasia. From North America, they usually migrate south to Mexico and a small number reaches Costa Rica and Panama. Natural History Notes: In Panama, only immature specimens have been reported. This species is mostly recorded during the dry season, from December to April. Conservation status according to IUCN 2008 Red list: Least Concern (LC). Characteristics: The total length of this species varies between 55.88 cm and 63.50 cm (measured from tip of bill to end of tail). The beak is brightly colored with a yellow background and red spots near the tip. The legs are red. The general plumage is white with a gray mantle. The wings have the tip black colored with small white spots on the outermost part of the primaries (line of wing feathers furthest to the body). It is important to note that the immature birds have a different plumage. The immature has browner wings, a wide brownish tail band and a wide black beak tip.