Glaucous or Iceland Gull - Simcoe, Ontario (1 Viewer)

[chipster454]

Hello again. I was in Simcoe trying to find a Glaucous-winged Gull that has been hanging around the marina for a few weeks. I wasn't able to find it, but I did spot two gulls that apear to me to be either Glaucous or Iceland Gulls. I'm not too strong with my gull Identification though. A fellow birder who seemed very knowledgeable told me they were both Glaucous Gulls. Checking my pictures through the Merlin bird app, shows them both as Iceland Gulls though. Not sure who I should believe. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[THE_FERN]

I'm with you. The left-most gull in the second pic would be a better glaucous candidate but we can't see crucial details (eye appears yellowish to me).

 

[chipster454]

I'm with you. The left-most gull in the second pic would be a better glaucous candidate but we can't see crucial details (eye appears yellowish to me).

You can’t see it in the picture, but that bird had black wing tips/tail. so we’re pretty certain the two in question are iceland gulls?

 

[Bismarck Honeyeater]

I’d go with Merlin.

 

[THE_FERN]

You can’t see it in the picture, but that bird had black wing tips/tail. so we’re pretty certain the two in question are iceland gulls?

Yes (for me). In the first pic the bill is obviously shorter than the primary projection, the base of the bill isn't pinky enough and the pale colour isn't obviously as much as 2/3 of the length. Head is rounded, bird looks dainty etc etc

 

[Rotherbirder]

Agree, both Iceland.

RB

 

[chipster454]

Ok. Iceland they are then. I've got one more for you. Looks like a Thayer's Gull beside a Ring-Billed to me. Am I Right?

 

[Butty]

A ringed bill does not a ring-billed make. Too big, surely.

 

[chipster454]

A ringed bill does not a ring-billed make. Too big, surely.

Two Herring Gulls then...Man gulls are hard.