Gull pic off the web (1 Viewer)

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Jun 28, 2004

• #1

This gull is posted on an open-access (copyright-free) site, identified as a California Gull, which it pretty obviously isn't.

I reckon it is either Western Gull, or Yellow-footed Gull; subadult.

But which? What do others think?

Michael

 

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H

HH75

Well-known member

• Jun 28, 2004

• #2

Hi Michael,
The tail pattern reminds me of that shown by Black-tailed Gull,and perhaps it's a subadult of that species?Certainly has the 'feel' of a smaller gull than Western or Yellow-footed.
Harry

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Jun 28, 2004

• #3

Hi Harry,

Interesting thought; but the pic is from the US, and I suspect from California; and Black-tailed Gull would be a major rarity there.

The site I got the above off had copied it from another free access site (US Fish & Wildlife Service), with a lot of reduction in quality, here's the original I've succeeded in finding:
http://dls.fws.gov/DATA/files/629F1CFF-8B13-484D-8415B5B2F9EE19F6.jpg

And the site it is on with the name of the photographer (but not the exact location, sadly!):
http://images.fws.gov/default.cfm?fuseaction=records.display&CFID=4250350&CFTOKEN=33998255&id=C0434A5E%2DABEB%2D4B2D%2DBE271FDED6C934F1

Michael

 

Joern Lehmhus

Well-known member

• Jun 28, 2004

• #4

I was also thinking of blacktailed gull, but as I have seen none of those species mentioned here in life, I am not sure... but it seems the better fit to me

 

Joern Lehmhus

Well-known member

• Jun 28, 2004

• #5

Another thought-doesn´t Heermann´s gull occur on the pacific coast-would that fit?

 

Andrew Whitehouse

Professor of Listening

Supporter

• Jun 28, 2004

• #6

I think the first thing we need to do on this is to age it. In the new picture it looks from the wing pattern to be not too far off an adult but it's still really dark on the head and breast, which is unusual for most subadult gulls. Having looked through Sibley, I'll confess to not having a clue, although it doesn't show a very wide range of subadult plumages in most gulls.

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Jun 28, 2004

• #7

Hi Joern,

I'd wondered about that, but on checking, Heermann's never has a pure white rump at any age

Michael

 

Joern Lehmhus

Well-known member

• Jun 28, 2004

• #8

Yes, but couldn´t this be due to "overexposition" making a light grey look white?

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Jun 28, 2004

• #9

Hi Joern,

Good point - found something of a reasonable match here (bottom pic):
http://www.ejphoto.com/heermanns_gull_page.htm

Still looking for more Heermann's pics . . .

Michael

 

H

HH75

Well-known member

• Jun 28, 2004

• #10

Hi all,
Yes,I suppose that this may be some subadult plumage of Heermann's(know it's not a juv or adult).Another similar pic is at:
http://www.tsuru-bird.net/gulls/gull_heermanns_flt_juv1.jpg
Harry

 

H

HH75

Well-known member

• Jun 28, 2004

• #11

Hi all,
Another thought:the tail pattern of this bird seems wrong for Black-tailed:that species seems to show white outer tail feathers,whereas the black tail of this bird is comprised of each feather having black tips.
Harry

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Jun 28, 2004

• #12

Hi Harry,

Good find - odd, that pic didn't come up on my google image search. But I think that, with Joern's point, satisfies me it is Heermann's

I'd agree subadult, maybe second summer.

Michael

 

mike coleman

BF Irregular

• Jun 28, 2004

• #13

Probably Heermans. Definitely not Black-tailed.

 

B

BirdsPeru

Alejandro Tabini

• Jun 28, 2004

• #14

Pictures of Heermans Gull

Maybe this pictures of Heermans Gull taken at California last year may help you a little bit more.

Alejandro

 

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Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Jul 1, 2004

• #15

My first thought was Heermans on seeing the pic!