[Gillian_M]

The photos of these were taken on November 21, 2006 on the Ottawa River as they were the most interesting birds around. There were several that looked like this, and a lot more that looked like the adult Ring-billed Gull, adult non-breeding plumage like the ones shown here: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAbou...lled_Gull.html.

Are these birds also Ring-billed gulls but simply not adults? Perhaps first winters? (That's the closest one to the birds in my photos, though the first winter bird in the Cornell photo seems to have a more speckled breast than my gulls.) I didn't notice any appreciable size difference between the Ring-billed gulls and these ones, though they did seem to keep apart from the Ring-billeds.

Thanks for your insights!

[Dave B Smith]

I believe you're right with first winter Ring-billed Gull. Nice photos.

[lou salomon]

all are 1st winter RBGs allright.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAbou...athers/rb_molt

[dan pointon]

Originally Posted by lou salomon

all are 1st winter RBGs allright.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAbou...athers/rb_molt

I'll third that.

[Gillian_M]

Originally Posted by dan pointon

I'll third that.

Excellent! Thanks guys!