Yellow Legged or Lesser Black Backed Gull? (1 Viewer)

V

VG-BPI

Member

• Oct 11, 2018

• #1

Hi,

Two gulls here - looking for help with ID.

Gull 1 on Rock.
Gull 2 in flight.

Thanks - Victor

 

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L

Louis_P

Average Birder

• Oct 11, 2018

• #2

I am quite new to gulls so don't just go on my opinion but I am saying two Lesser Black-Backed Gulls.

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Oct 11, 2018

• #3

Think a bit too much contrast between the grey and the black wingtips, and also heavy bills - YLG for me :t:

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Oct 11, 2018

• #4

Nutcracker said:

Think a bit too much contrast between the grey and the black wingtips, and also heavy bills - YLG for me :t:

Click to expand...

And me.

 

V

VG-BPI

Member

• Oct 11, 2018

• #5

Thanks all for your comments. One was taken in Spain, the bird on the rock, and the other one in Ireland. I was definitely thinking YLG because the grey looks too pale. I wasn’t aware of what else to look for, but I know now the contrast between the feathers at the wingtips must be greater on YLG.

Appreciate the help.

Victor.

 

jmorlan

Hmmm. That's funny

Opus Editor

• Oct 12, 2018

• #6

I would be cautious about #2. I think Yellow-legged Gull is pretty rare in Ireland and this single photo is not really convincing. The mantle color of gulls can change, sometimes dramatically with the light. Are there other photos?

 

A

aeshna5

Well-known member

• Oct 12, 2018

• #7

jmorlan said:

I would be cautious about #2. I think Yellow-legged Gull is pretty rare in Ireland and this single photo is not really convincing. The mantle color of gulls can change, sometimes dramatically with the light. Are there other photos?

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I also think the streaky head would be better for a "graelsii" Lesser Blackback winter bird. Yellow-legged normally keeps a white head.

 

W

Welsh Peregrine

Well-known member

• Oct 12, 2018

• #8

Wish that I'd commented first before reading the thread, as it sounds like I'm just confirming what's already been said, but the first looks ok for YLG to me - pale, uniform mantle and unstreaked head, whereas the second with streaky head starts to suggest LBB, and a close look at the mantle suggests lighting artifacts affecting the apparent colour. The leg colour also looks distinctly different between the two birds.

 

V

VG-BPI

Member

• Oct 12, 2018

• #9

Here is another photo of the same bird!

Victor

 

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S

Sangahyando

Well-known member

• Oct 12, 2018

• #10

VG-BPI said:

Here is another photo of the same bird!

Victor

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Looks a little too dark for YLG, in my opinion.

 

birdboybowley

Well-known member.....apparently so ;)

• Oct 12, 2018

• #11

Lbb

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Oct 12, 2018

• #12

VG-BPI said:

Here is another photo of the same bird!

Victor

Click to expand...

Yep, agree LBB now :t:

 

jmorlan

Hmmm. That's funny

Opus Editor

• Oct 12, 2018

• #13

Yes, #2 is Lesser Black-backed based on additional photo. So in your original post, I think there's one of each.

 

V

VG-BPI

Member

• Oct 22, 2018

• #14

LBBG it is! Thanks for the help all!