Gull Hybrid or just the lighting? Central Pennsylvania, USA (1 Viewer)

jmepler

It's just a flesh wound.

• Feb 10, 2013

• #1

My friend took this picture yesterday at a nearby lake. It appears to be as big, or bigger, than the nearby Great Black-backed Gulls but the mantle is lighter gray. We are discussing whether it is just a result of the lighting angle or if it is possibly a hybrid, GBBG x Herring Gull perhaps.

What do you think?

Mike

 

Last edited: Feb 10, 2013

Steve Arlow

Well-known member

• Feb 11, 2013

• #2

I'm assuming you mean the bird on the left of the image in which case it is an adult Great Black-backed Gull with the angle to light giving it a paler appearance that the other GBBGulls

 

jmepler

It's just a flesh wound.

• Feb 11, 2013

• #3

That was the gull in question. Based on the size of the bird I didn't think it could be anything other than GBBG. I have just never seen one that appeared as light as this one does.

Thanks,
Mike

 

D

DarkFireFalcon

Well-known member

• Feb 11, 2013

• #4

Did you see it at any other angles, or in different light? It looks otherwise perfect for GBBG, if not a trick of the light, maybe just incredibly faded for some reason.

 

jmepler

It's just a flesh wound.

• Feb 12, 2013

• #5

No other angles, it was sleeping the entire time.

I think it was just the lighting. The fact that it was stationary meant that the reflection was always the same. I think when they are moving around the lighter reflections are less noticeable.