How do you say 'seagull' in Spanish?

The word is gaviota, a feminine noun used identically across all Spanish-speaking regions. Unlike some animal names, gaviota has no regional variation — it is the one and only word for seagull in Spanish.

Is gaviota related to any other Spanish words?

Gaviota comes from Old Spanish gabia (derived from Latin cavia, meaning cage or hollow), though the etymology is debated. It is also a common surname and place name in the Spanish-speaking world, including Gaviota State Park in California.

What is the plural of gaviota?

The plural is gaviotas, following the standard rule of adding -s to nouns ending in a vowel. You say las gaviotas for the seagulls, with the feminine article las matching the feminine noun.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

Seagull in Spanish: Gaviota

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Gaviota · noun (feminine) · gah-bee-OH-tah

Gaviota is the universal Spanish word for seagull, used consistently across Spain and all of Latin America. It covers all species of gulls, from the common herring gull to the laughing gull found on Caribbean coasts.

gah-bee-OH-tah

Las gaviotas volaban sobre el muelle buscando comida.

The seagulls were flying over the pier looking for food.

How Native Speakers Use Gaviota

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Beach scene

Una gaviota le robó el sándwich de las manos.

A seagull stole the sandwich from his hands.

Classic beach encounter.

Coastal living

Nos despertamos con el sonido de las gaviotas cada mañana.

We wake up to the sound of seagulls every morning.

Living near the coast.

Photography

Capturé una foto preciosa de una gaviota al atardecer.

I captured a beautiful photo of a seagull at sunset.

Nature photography hobby.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Gaviota

Inventing a word from sea + gull

Incorrect: Vi muchas paragullas en la playa.

Correct: Vi muchas gaviotas en la playa.

There is no compound word in Spanish constructed from sea + gull — gaviota is the standalone term with Latin roots, not a descriptive compound.

Confusing gaviota with pelícano

Incorrect: La gaviota se zambulló para pescar. (describing a pelican dive)

Correct: El pelícano se zambulló para pescar.

Gaviotas (seagulls) are surface feeders that snatch food, while pelícanos (pelicans) are the large-billed birds that dive dramatically — confusing them reveals unfamiliarity with both species.

Lock in Seagull Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Gaviota used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using gaviota in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Las gaviotas volaban sobre el muelle buscando comida. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Seagull in Spanish

How do you say 'seagull' in Spanish?: The word is gaviota, a feminine noun used identically across all Spanish-speaking regions. Unlike some animal names, gaviota has no regional variation — it is the one and only word for seagull in Spanish.
Is gaviota related to any other Spanish words?: Gaviota comes from Old Spanish gabia (derived from Latin cavia, meaning cage or hollow), though the etymology is debated. It is also a common surname and place name in the Spanish-speaking world, including Gaviota State Park in California.
What is the plural of gaviota?: The plural is gaviotas, following the standard rule of adding -s to nouns ending in a vowel. You say las gaviotas for the seagulls, with the feminine article las matching the feminine noun.