Another Mystery at the Beach, still living (1 Viewer)

colleenc said:

Yesterday I saw this California gull with the group I was drawing, it was completely waterlogged except for the top of the back and head. It did not seem to be greatly injured, walked fine, and was alert and active. last shot is with a Western Gull....John aren't you proud of me, I'm learning, thanks to your prompting:t:

What could have caused this, I only see gulls on the beach, and have not really done deep observation of their ways except in this one spot. So any ideas?

thanks

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buzzard12 said:

\. Plumage is worn as it is before being wet..

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colleenc said:

Thanks Alan, I didn't quite get what you mean by this

and how long would it have to be in the water before it got so soaked, tail feathers were sort of shredded.

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ed keeble said:

I'm thinking the two are sort of linked..the feathers are in such poor condition (worn, poorly maintained) that they get waterlogged and the blood stains them, instead of washing off like er water off a duck's back

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colleenc said:

so you think the feathers were already in poor condition, then the bird was involved with a sort of feeding frenzy on some fish or seal that was in the water providing dinner for the group of scanvengers, and got waterlogged that way?

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buzzard12 said:

Hi Colleen,

Worn, damaged and shredded feathers are common in gulls. Large gulls have a full moult of the wing and tail feathers once a year, towards the end of the year the feathers are older and become gradually more abraded due to things like wear and tear, exposure to the sun, feeding in conditions where damage is more likely, such as dumps, carcasses, bins etc. Not sure about California Gull's moult strategy, when they moult that is...
Large gulls moult the body feathers twice a year, your bird looks fine in this area. With regard to worn feathers, they are more likely to get soaked, stained and soiled due to their bad condition. I would guess from the blood on the upper breast that this bird has been feeding on a corpse of some description on the sea, the result is your birds appearance. The bird is totally healthy of course and will look brand new after the upcoming moult...keep a close eye on your local birds and you will see moult progress

Have attached three photos of gulls in various worn plumage. Western Gull, Glaucous Gull and Herring Gull.

Hope this helps.

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