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Gull, Ellis Island, New York/New Jersey, USA (1 Viewer)

Hanuta06

Well-known member
I saw this gull in mid September on Ellis Island, New York/New Jersey. Since I am not from the East Coast, I’m unsure of his/her identity. He/she looks a bit like a ring-billed, but his/her legs and beak are really not yellow. Could he/she be a hybrid or immature bird? Any help would be appreciated.
 

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Would agree with Christian that it's a Ring-billed Gull.

But I would disagree with him that it is an "adult" (by which I take it he means, "definitive basic" - or whatever the equivalent term is in "gull-ese"). This is what I would call a third-winter bird - one moult away from definitive. Note that the mantle and underparts are very "adult-ish", but the wing-tips are much more extensively black than a definitive bird. Also, as noted, the bare parts are not quite like an adult - the feet would be brighter, and the ring on the bill more sharply defined, were this a full adult Ring-billed.
Cheers,
 
Hi, its a Ring-billed Gull, but not an adult.Its pinkish bill base, dull legs,rather dark iris, lack of white tips to the primaries all point to it being a 2nd winter bird.

cheers,S
 
Thanks for all the information, everyone! Your help has been appreciated. And the link that JanJ posted was really informative. I'll save it for future reference.
 
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