ID help: Phalarope or what? (1 Viewer)

GuyScharf

Well-known member

• Jun 21, 2005

• #1

Seen at the northern end of Potholes Reservoir, which is south of Moses Lake, Washington state. I thought at first these might be Wilson's Phalarope, but the bill is shorter and the legs pinker than pictured in Sibley's, so I am confused about what I saw.

Help appreciated!

Thanks.

Guy

 

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Katy Penland

Well-known member

• Jun 21, 2005

• #2

My first thought is Bonaparte's Gull, a very delicate, tern-like gull. As always, I could very well be wrong about this.

 

GuyScharf

Well-known member

• Jun 21, 2005

• #3

Behavior was certainly gull-like. Hanging around on the dike/dam, perching on posts, relatively approachable. Not that I am eager to add another gull to my list, but at least it's one I have not seen before. :h?:

 

Katy Penland

Well-known member

• Jun 21, 2005

• #4

Boneys are a lot of fun to watch fishing in shallow water. I could watch them for hours in tidal creeks like there are in the LA area where I lived. They do this fun little "dance," churning up whatever's there, then pecking at it.

Congrats on your lifer even it was another gull. :t: Like I say, though, it could be another of the black-headed gulls that we get on the west coast, but I'm pretty sure it's a Bonaparte's.

 

T

Thayeri

Well-known member

• Jun 21, 2005

• #5

I agree with Katy, first summer Bonaparte's Gull (age of in-flight birds anyway).

The combination of black bill / pink legs / light underwing except for a dark trailing edge tells us that it is Bonaparte's Gull.

 

D

Dave B Smith

Well-known member

• Jun 21, 2005

• #6

And for what's it's worth, another vote for Bonaparte's (of which I saw my first one just over a week ago).

 

GuyScharf

Well-known member

• Jun 21, 2005

• #7

Thank you. I appreciate everyone's helpfulness.

Guy