Help needed with Goose and Gull ID (Jamaica Bay Queens NY)... (1 Viewer)

AsterixnObelix

Well-known member

• Dec 7, 2008

• #1

I took these pictures yesterday at Jamaica Bay West Pond. A goose that flew in with a flock of Snow Geese had all the features according to Sibley's of a "Dark Morph" Snowy, so I would like help on confirming the ID. In addition, there was a Gull over on the East Pond that I thought might be a Great Black-backed, but I am not sure. As always, thanks in advance.

 

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Quercus

homo sarkensis

• Dec 7, 2008

• #2

Hi, Greater black-backed gulls are common here.(Scotland).... but that's something else!

 

Last edited: Dec 7, 2008

lassa8

Well-known member

• Dec 8, 2008

• #3

Looks good for a dark Snow Goose and a Great Black-backed Gull.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Dec 8, 2008

• #4

I was thinking immature Lesser Black-backed Gull

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Dec 8, 2008

• #5

great black backed is allright, probably a 3rd winter. even in this small resolution the proportions head/body/bill don't leave much room for LBBG.

 

Quercus

homo sarkensis

• Dec 8, 2008

• #6

The Black bill threw me!

 

Microtus

Maryland USA (he/him)

• Dec 8, 2008

• #7

The gull is a Great Black-back. It is far too dark for a Lesser.

 

AsterixnObelix

Well-known member

• Dec 8, 2008

• #8

lou salomon said:

great black backed is allright, probably a 3rd winter. even in this small resolution the proportions head/body/bill don't leave much room for LBBG.

Click to expand...

Hmmm...well I did a bit of research and I have found some data indicating a 3rd winter GBB would have a pinkish bill or yellowish bill with black tip. This Gull has a black bill with either a pinkish or yellowish tip.

 

birderbf

Wild, Wild West ................... ern Spindalis

• Dec 8, 2008

• #9

lou salomon said:

great black backed is allright, probably a 3rd winter. even in this small resolution the proportions head/body/bill don't leave much room for LBBG.

Click to expand...

Agreed, structure syas it all. A black beak at that age is wrong for GBBG, but all other large gulls that I can think of as well!

 

AsterixnObelix

Well-known member

• Dec 8, 2008

• #10

birderbf said:

Agreed, structure syas it all. A black beak at that age is wrong for GBBG, but all other large gulls that I can think of as well!

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Hi birderbf - the beak had a few of us stumped as we observed this Gull over at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay. Since the consensus is GBBG, I'll leave it at that. Thanks for the feedback.

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Dec 8, 2008

• #11

bill colour is among the most variable features in immature gulls. we can't exclude however that this pic provides a wrong impression of an all dark bill. it could well be pale at base but the strong contrast isn't showing it.