Common / Ring-billed Gull in La Palma / Spain

AlinoVegano · Friday 21st April 2017, 12:50

Hi all,

Last month I found a Common Gull on a beach at Santa Cruz were was also the first Iceland Gull of La Palma, Canaries, Spain. However, despite confirmations of some birding contacts I have, Eduardo Garcia del Rey thinks it might actually be a Ring-billed Gull (he thought about an individual that wintered at Tenerife and trying to travel back to Nearctic).

I'd like your opinion. The photo with the Iceland Gull is "photoshopped", there were really together, but I took the photo of each separately (there were to far apart for my zoom) and joined them in post-treatment.

Thanks for helping

Alino

Nutcracker · Friday 21st April 2017, 13:00

Welcome to Birdforum!

Looks like Common to me, the bill is too small for Ring-billed, and the bird overall too small compared to the LBBG in pic #3.

AlinoVegano · Friday 21st April 2017, 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nutcracker

Welcome to Birdforum!

Looks like Common to me, the bill is too small for Ring-billed, and the bird overall too small compared to the LBBG in pic #3.

Thanks for your answer.

It is not a LBBG, it is Larus michahellis atlantis... they are dark indeed!

SJC · Friday 21st April 2017, 14:06

Certainly looks small billed. +1 for Common Gull

AlinoVegano · Friday 21st April 2017, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJC

Certainly looks small billed. +1 for Common Gull

It means I would have found 2 new gulls for La Palma the same year! Which one will be next????

Brian J Small · Friday 21st April 2017, 15:08

Ring-billed Gull for me

http://gull-research.org/delawarensi...cyapril03.html

B

AlinoVegano · Friday 21st April 2017, 15:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian J Small

Ring-billed Gull for me

http://gull-research.org/delawarensi...cyapril03.html

B

Thank you Brian. Wow, 2 for Common, 1 for RbG, but I guess your opinion is an expert one. What do you say about very small size (with direct comparison with YlG) and small bill?.

I see very pale mantle good for RbG... a bit confused now.

Jane Turner · Friday 21st April 2017, 18:53

It does look small billed, but the body shape is all RBG - Common is realtively shorter legged and longer in the rear

http://www.birdersplayground.co.uk/C...t%20years.html

AlinoVegano · Friday 21st April 2017, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jane Turner

It does look small billed, but the body shape is all RBG - Common is realtively shorter legged and longer in the rear

http://www.birdersplayground.co.uk/C...t%20years.html

When I found the bird, I thought RbG rarer than Common, so I hoped RgG... but what disturbed me for Ring-billed Gulll was: he was so short-legged and long winged that I doubted, and disappointingly came back thinking I "only" found a Common. Finally, Common would be new for La Palma, and RbG would be a second, not that bad of course.

I'm not arguing against you or Brian, obviously you have more knowledge of them... just explaining my confusion.

lou salomon · Friday 21st April 2017, 20:42

ring-billed gull for me as well, a slim billed 2cy individual.

Friday 21st April 2017, 12:50	#1
AlinoVegano Registered User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: La Palma Posts: 1,290	Common / Ring-billed Gull in La Palma / Spain Hi all, Last month I found a Common Gull on a beach at Santa Cruz were was also the first Iceland Gull of La Palma, Canaries, Spain. However, despite confirmations of some birding contacts I have, Eduardo Garcia del Rey thinks it might actually be a Ring-billed Gull (he thought about an individual that wintered at Tenerife and trying to travel back to Nearctic). I'd like your opinion. The photo with the Iceland Gull is "photoshopped", there were really together, but I took the photo of each separately (there were to far apart for my zoom) and joined them in post-treatment. Thanks for helping Alino Attached Thumbnails

Friday 21st April 2017, 18:53	#8
Jane Turner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hoylake, Merseyside Posts: 22,843 My location	It does look small billed, but the body shape is all RBG - Common is realtively shorter legged and longer in the rear http://www.birdersplayground.co.uk/C...t%20years.html __________________ Last Cheshire Surf Scoter (310) last Red Rocks Subalpine Warbler (260), last Garden Great White Egret (208), last Self-found Citrine Wagtail (294)
	BF Supporter 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Support BirdForum With A Donation

Friday 21st April 2017, 20:42	#10
lou salomon the birdonist Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Stuttgart Posts: 14,134	ring-billed gull for me as well, a slim billed 2cy individual. __________________ lou

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Friday 21st April 2017, 13:00	#2
Nutcracker Northumbrian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK Posts: 15,331	Welcome to Birdforum! Looks like Common to me, the bill is too small for Ring-billed, and the bird overall too small compared to the LBBG in pic #3.

Friday 21st April 2017, 14:06	#4
SJC Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cyprus Posts: 820 My location	Certainly looks small billed. +1 for Common Gull

Friday 21st April 2017, 15:08	#6
Brian J Small Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Suffolk, UK Posts: 992	Ring-billed Gull for me http://gull-research.org/delawarensi...cyapril03.html B