Any chance these photos could confirm Vega Gull - Michigan, US (1 Viewer)

[chipperatl]

This bird has bugged me for over 6 years. Clearly darker mantle than nearby Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gulls. It has pink legs, so I've ruled out California Gull, and Lesser Black-backed x Herring Gull hybrid. More pics here. Third photo I adjusted exposure to show there is some streaking mostly on back of head/neck. Thanks in advance.

 

[lou salomon]

hi chipperatl, you'd need high resolution pics showing iris and bill colour and some open wing shots for primary pattern to even try the ID of such a hard to prove vagrant. What definitely speaks against a Vega Gull here is the completed primary moult, Vega is a late moulter. Some Appledore Gulls can show pinkish legs, especially in autumn.

 

[chipperatl]

Thank you. I had wondered about LBBGxHERG, but I read/saw they still had the yellow legs. Looking deeper at eBird I see some do have pink legs. I think that is more likely the culprit here as we have had good luck with all ages of LBBG, even far inland.