I believe this is a Vega Gull, Larus argentatus vegae.
I love the eyes on this one. BOW says regarding the Herring Gull, "In adults, the iris is straw or pale orange-yellow and becomes brighter in March–June; the orbital ring is yellow-orange to reddish orange in March–June, dulling to pinkish or grayish during the non-breeding seasons." I'd call the iris straw maybe and it's quite bright, but the orbital ring is bright orange and it's February 8 here. Is the Vega on a slightly different schedule? The rest of the bird looks Adult, non-breeding plumage. Just curious, does anyone know more about this?
I love the eyes on this one. BOW says regarding the Herring Gull, "In adults, the iris is straw or pale orange-yellow and becomes brighter in March–June; the orbital ring is yellow-orange to reddish orange in March–June, dulling to pinkish or grayish during the non-breeding seasons." I'd call the iris straw maybe and it's quite bright, but the orbital ring is bright orange and it's February 8 here. Is the Vega on a slightly different schedule? The rest of the bird looks Adult, non-breeding plumage. Just curious, does anyone know more about this?
