Gull i.d. needed (1 Viewer)

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Aug 17, 2003

• #1

All,
I have an idea what this is, but would appreciate some input from a few others.
The bird stood out amongst the rest of the birds as being very white-headed with an all-black bill (all the other gulls of similar age showed varying amounts of pale on the bill). It had a broad but neat, black tail band.
Sorry about the poor quality of the shots but I hope you can help.
CJ

 

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CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Aug 17, 2003

• #2

Another one:

 

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CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Aug 17, 2003

• #3

Showing the underwing:

 

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P

Pterodroma kid

Member

• Aug 17, 2003

• #4

This looks to be well within the normal range of variation of a 'British' Herring Gull (L.a. argenteus) moulting into 2nd-winter plumage.

Julian

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Aug 17, 2003

• #5

No problem - it's a SEAGULL.


:-O


Shows quite a lot of michahellis characters, but I'm not 100% on that, particularly the 1st photo shows a very short primary extension while the 3rd doesn't show any indication that it is missing any outer primaries. I'm going to remain uncommitted on this thing. Let's hope Malvolio comes out of hiding.

Michael

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Aug 17, 2003

• #6

Pro-michahellis - stout bill still all-black at this age, large body size, white head,
Anti-michahellis - as well as the short primaries, also the attenuated head, tertial tip pattern not good.

On balance, probably not, or at least not a typical, michahellis

Yeah, I'll stick with Seagull.

Michael

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Aug 17, 2003

• #7

Thanks a bunch guys!
PK:
I hadn't realised that 1st Summer/2nd Winter Herring Gulls could have all dark bills, I can't find anything in the literature saying so.
Michael:
Watcha mean tertial tip pattern not good? What should it look like for michahellis?
I think I'll give up on gulls they're a real pain in the a***!!!

 

S

StevieEvans

Well-known member

• Aug 17, 2003

• #8

Seagull

MF
nice to sea i've got you round to my way of thinking.
Stevie

 

pauco

Старлин&

• Aug 17, 2003

• #9

HI CJW,
I am going of your first photo, and thought( larus-marinus )
great black-backed gull, 2nd-winter. but on reflection I will stick with my first thought. larus-argentatus herring gull 2nd winter.
the only doubt I still have is in regard to there being no pink
base to bill. just my opinion still learning gull I.D. but what fun.
bert.

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Aug 17, 2003

• #10

CJW said:

Watcha mean tertial tip pattern not good? What should it look like for michahellis?

Click to expand...

Hi CJ,

Too much white at the tip. These tertials match GBB better. I too am half-wondering if that's what it is. L. (c. / a.) michahellis 'should' have mostly black tertials, with just a narrow white margin - similar to LBB.

Originally posted by CJW
I think I'll give up on gulls they're a real pain in the a***!!!

Click to expand...

I know the feeling :stuck: :h?:

Michael

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Aug 17, 2003

• #11

Hmmm.
I don't think it's GBB - aren't those 'adult-type' feathers on the mantle? If so they're way too pale.
I think Pterodactyl Cod is probably right, but the bill is a real oddity isn't it?
Where's Harry Hussey when you need him?

 

P

Pterodroma kid

Member

• Aug 17, 2003

• #12

The tertial pattern is fine for a michahellis (or Herring) of this age but the heavily barred tail coverts aren't good at all for michahellis and everything else is fine for Herring (prob. a large male). The grey tone on the upperparts is too pale for michahellis.

Julian

 

M

Mark D

BOG member

• Aug 17, 2003

• #13

Hi all

I think this is a Herring Gull 2nd yr. The feathering that is coming thru on the mantle doesn't look dark enough for either YLG or GBB
Certainly not a GBB as the head isn't pale enough either, but then isn't a pale head a feature of YLG too? In the 1st photo all the birds appear to be in a similar state of moult which is another thing against YLG

Mark

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Aug 17, 2003

• #14

Righto, thanks chaps. Very helpful.
I'm still going to give up on gulls - too much variation to end up with what is, in the end; a tip-frequenting, disease spreading, noisy, unattractive bird!!!
And the few attractive ones are easy to i.d.

 

P

peteh

Well-known member

• Aug 17, 2003

• #15

Do you get hybrid gulls??

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Aug 17, 2003

• #16

Oh God! Don't start with that one Pete! Yes you do, but I think the guys are right with Herring Gull for this one.

 

M

Mark D

BOG member

• Aug 17, 2003

• #17

Gulls are GREAT! the challenge they represent keeps your birding brain active, so don't let them get you down just enjoy them

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Aug 18, 2003

• #18

Hi Mark, I think this is an aesthetics thing. I just don't see the attraction of the larger gulls. Yes, stuff like Sabine's, Ross's, Little etc etc are attractive birds (it has nothing to do with their rarity value), but come on! Hering Gulls, Lesser Black-backs Yellow-legged can't possibly be described as great!! Perhaps it has something to do with their habitat choices.....

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Aug 18, 2003

• #19

But Larus marinus are called 'great' :-O

Michael

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Aug 18, 2003

• #20

Predictable and just a little sad.......