Gull ID - Cornwall (1 Viewer)

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secretcornwall

Well-known member

• Feb 13, 2012

• #1

Is it a Herring gull ? .. if so which ssp

regards

 

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KenM

Well-known member

• Feb 13, 2012

• #2

3rd Winter argenteus?

 

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secretcornwall

Well-known member

• Feb 13, 2012

• #3

Thats what I thought looking at my Collins guide, but wasn't sure. I do have some more pictures ( poor light, sorry) if they help anyone.

 

Cristian Mihai

Cristian Mihai

• Feb 13, 2012

• #4

Yep, it looks like a argenteus, 4cy or more.

 

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OlaB

Well-known member

• Feb 13, 2012

• #5

Which features are you using to id this bird as argenteus? Curious.

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Feb 13, 2012

• #6

OlaB said:

Which features are you using to id this bird as argenteus? Curious.

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The picture looks somewhat over-exposed...and I believe I can discern more grey mottling to the head than is being shown?

Also the black band to the bill appears to conform to a 3rd year argenteus..as illustrated in Collins.

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Feb 13, 2012

• #7

there's dirt on the bill. such a bill band is not naturally shown by an adult herring gull. it's at least 4cy (probably 5cy or older) because apical spots (white primary tips) are large.
i can't ID it to subspecies.

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Feb 13, 2012

• #8

lou salomon said:

there's dirt on the bill. such a bill band is not naturally shown by an adult herring gull. it's at least 4cy (probably 5cy or older) because apical spots (white primary tips) are large.
i can't ID it to subspecies.

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I can see mud/dirt on the lower 60-70% of the bill appearing to contrast against the bill ''band''...also acknowledging the larger apical spots which would suggest an adult bird. However a 3rd year argenteous should show a bill band as per Collins.

 

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OlaB

Well-known member

• Feb 14, 2012

• #9

To my knowledge there is no big difference in amount of black on the bill between argentatus and argenteus. From this picture it shouldn't be possible (as Lou says) to id this bird to ssp.

 

luke

A Welsh birder in Dorset!

• Feb 14, 2012

• #10

but its in Cornwall so most likely an argenteus. (though obviously argentatus do occasionally occure in the south west)

 

Gavin Haig

Well-known member

• Feb 14, 2012

• #11

Agree with Luke. Ratio of argenteus to argentatus in Cornwall has got to be many thousands to one. So, when struggling for for conclusive plumage features, go with the geographical ones!

 

Cristian Mihai

Cristian Mihai

• Feb 15, 2012

• #12

luke said:

but its in Cornwall so most likely an argenteus. (though obviously argentatus do occasionally occure in the south west)

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Correct.

 

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secretcornwall

Well-known member

• Feb 15, 2012

• #13

Thanks all .. still learning ( and now have to factor in birds with dirty beaks ;-) .. makes a change from a bit of some unsuspecting tourists pasty on the beak)