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Agree 1st winter Black-legged Kittiwake for the gull in pics 2-3; I'd think Sabine's is unlikely there, as well as lacking the black collar that's just visible (a good 1st winter Kitti pointer :t
I don't know if I would call it a Kittiwake just based on these pictures and the likelihood of seeing one there. Sabine's appears to be about the same likelihood.
A far more likely small gull candidate would be bonapartes...
I don't know if I would call it a Kittiwake just based on these pictures and the likelihood of seeing one there. Sabine's appears to be about the same likelihood.
A far more likely small gull candidate would be bonapartes...
B-l Kittiwake is far more likely in inshore coastal waters; Sab's generally migrate well out in the ocean. Bonaparte's would be commoner, but (like Sab's) doesn't have the blackish collar.
B-l Kittiwake is far more likely in inshore coastal waters; Sab's generally migrate well out in the ocean. Bonaparte's would be commoner, but (like Sab's) doesn't have the blackish collar.
While you're probably correct. For the sake of argument, I thought I'd try blowing up the image and checking the darkness of the pixels...
(When scaling the picture I let it resample, but I checked against the original pixels and they are very close to the sample ones I've labeled in the attached image)
Of course it's very hard to tell what is what color because shadows etc. It looks like a pretty overcast day though...
The number pointing to a spot on the bird corresponds with the amount of light in that area of the picture. A lower number is a darker area (range is 0 - 100).
The spot on the neck (55) I think is probably white.
The black spot (13) is definitely dark, so probably black.
The head in general (30) is between these two... the darkness level is quite a bit closer to the darkness of the head--17 away as opposed to 25.
So, the head being pale is debatable?
Then again maybe it's just a shadow/angle thing and 35 could also be white, just at a different angle, which would then make 30 for the head a reasonable white...
I've got about zero experience with all three species, but I do know that both would be quite rare for the area, though definitely possible.
The neck definitely looks black, so if that's diagnostic I guess it must be a Kittiwake.