bonaparte's gulls, I think; Pescadero Beach, California (1 Viewer)

djleahy · May 7, 2007

The whole category of hooded gulls was new to me until today, when I found these guys in the brackish lagoon on Pescadero Creek. I'm posting because I see a lot of very similar looking gulls in Sibley; however, it seems most likely that all of these are Bonaparte's, which I now understand to be a fairly abundant migrant here. Although this is a two-year gull, most of these appear to be young'uns.

emupilot · May 7, 2007

djleahy said:
The whole category of hooded gulls was new to me until today, when I found these guys in the brackish lagoon on Pescadero Creek. I'm posting because I see a lot of very similar looking gulls in Sibley; however, it seems most likely that all of these are Bonaparte's, which I now understand to be a fairly abundant migrant here. Although this is a two-year gull, most of these appear to be young'uns.

Bonaparte's is the only hooded gull we are likely to see on the California coast, and your photos look like them. I saw one today near Santa Cruz.

nickderry · May 7, 2007

Bonaparte's they are.

Dave B Smith · May 8, 2007

Look like you have a mix of ages. Left photo top bird looks like a transition first winter to first summer (see the dark coverts on wing), some others are adults in a moult going from winter to breeding plumage.

bonaparte's gulls, I think; Pescadero Beach, California (1 Viewer)

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C'est pas ma faute, je suis anglais.

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