gull, California, USA (1 Viewer)

djleahy

Well-known member

• Aug 31, 2008

• #1

I'll freely admit a lack of cluefulness with gulls. This guy has a strongly streaked head and a fairly light gray mantle, which makes me think of Herring Gull, but the gray legs and the black-tipped beak throw me. I think I need more gull reference material with more details about sub-adults. In the meanwhile, I'd greatly appreciate your input!

Pics taken on the ocean beach at Seacliff State Park, Aptos, California, today (August 30, 2008).

 

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Cristian Mihai

Cristian Mihai

• Aug 31, 2008

• #2

I know a very few things about American Gulls, but, IMHO, could be a Ringed-bill Gull.

Cristian

 

djleahy

Well-known member

• Aug 31, 2008

• #3

Cristian Mihai said:

I know a very few things about American Gulls, but, IMHO, could be a Ringed-bill Gull.

Cristian

Click to expand...

Could be, as far as I can figure, but the eye color, leg color, bill color, and head streaking don't seem right for Ringed-bill gull.

 

Cristian Mihai

Cristian Mihai

• Aug 31, 2008

• #4

Nice reply Dave. Maybe it is indeed a 3cy Herring Gull. Let's wait for some more opinions.

Cristian

 

JANJ

Well-known member

• Aug 31, 2008

• #5

Hi Dave.

The dark eye, billshape and bluish tone to the knees + structure say´s California Gull - probably a third cycle.

JanJ

 

Gentoo

Guest

• Aug 31, 2008

• #6

JANJ said:

Hi Dave.

The dark eye, billshape and bluish tone to the knees + structure say´s California Gull - probably a third cycle.

JanJ

Click to expand...

Yes!:t:

 

jcwings

Well-known member

• Aug 31, 2008

• #7

JANJ said:

Hi Dave.

The dark eye, billshape and bluish tone to the knees + structure say´s California Gull - probably a third cycle.

JanJ

Click to expand...

And thirded

 

Microtus

Maryland USA (he/him)

• Aug 31, 2008

• #8

jcwings said:

And thirded

Click to expand...

Fourthed. Will there be a fifth?
B B B B B

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Aug 31, 2008

• #9

5 is a good number (5th element a.s.o.) so i'll join in the california club. greets from the danube delta :t:

 

djleahy

Well-known member

• Aug 31, 2008

• #10

Thanks all, especially Jan of course, who led the charge. I've avoided sub-adult gulls for the first few years of my birding, but I'm beginning to believe that they might not be as impenetrable as I first thought. I will need better reference material, though.