Big Iceland or little Glaucous - North Sea (1 Viewer)

[Gander]

I've got this one down as an Iceland due to softer face expression, beak size and general body size/shape, but it has been pointed out to me that it does tick quite a few boxes for being a Glaucous.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Only looking on my phone but it doesn't seem brutish enough for a Glauc

 

[Richard Prior]

It looks only slightly larger than the Herring Gull alongside, so I suppose we're looking at a male Iceland and a female Herring G in the image?

 

[Hugh Addlesee]

While agreeing that it doesn't look a particularly brutish bird, to me it doesn't have the typical gentle look of an Iceland. My crude measurement (ruler on monitor!) is that it's also about 10% longer than the Herring Gull. Hence, my vote's for Glauc.
With lots of views, but only two previous comments, it would be interesting to know whether that's because everybody else agrees with Iceland, or is not sure?

 

[Nutcracker]

While agreeing that it doesn't look a particularly brutish bird, to me it doesn't have the typical gentle look of an Iceland. My crude measurement (ruler on monitor!) is that it's also about 10% longer than the Herring Gull. Hence, my vote's for Glauc.
With lots of views, but only two previous comments, it would be interesting to know whether that's because everybody else agrees with Iceland, or is not sure?

Got my fingers burnt on Gander's previous Iceland / Glauc pic, so decided to hold back so as not to make a fool of myself again . ..

 

[shorebirder]

My vote is for Glaucous too. Bigger than Herring, isolated pale tip to bill, typical of 1st wint plumage Glaucous and robust head shape

 

[Hugh Addlesee]

Got my fingers burnt on Gander's previous Iceland / Glauc pic, so decided to hold back so as not to make a fool of myself again . ..

Ah, but did you get your fingers burnt?! If you look back at the previous thread, there is no consensus: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=337021.
I didn't comment on that thread, but went the same way as you on Gander's North Sea thread, and that's still where my vote would lie. I find it odd how difficult these gulls are in some of Gander's photos, but clearly i.d. from photos isn't always straightforward! Your opinion's as valid as anyone else's, so go on and say which you think it is. It's just a pity we'll probably never know for certain.

 

[Gander]

Any further opinion on this one?

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Looks okay for Glaucous Gull to me.

 

[jogresh]

I'm leaning towards Glauc based on flat head, 2-tone bill, broad-based non-spiky primaries, large size, and small, piggy, prominently lidded eyes which always strike me on a Glauc.