The state bird of Utah is the California Gull. They were likely selected as the state bird because of the large role they played in saving the people of the State by eating the crickets that were destroying the crops in 1848. It is often thought that California Gulls live only along the western coast of North America, however, they are very common throughout the west, even in landlocked states such as Utah.
They are migratory birds, and migrate to the pacific coast during the harsh Utah winters, only to return in the spring. They’re often found near lakes, which is where they breed. Their diet consists mainly of eggs, fish, and insects. However, they can be found scavenging in dumpsters and along the road looking for food.
