Gentoo
Guest
When it comes to gulls, remember, even the experts cannot identify every gull they see. Various threads on this forum prove that. Once you're fairly familiar with gulls you will notice that the experts level isn't that much higher than your own.
I use a different system to identify birds than most birders do. I understand the importance of learning calls and displays as these, in their combination never change and are the only truly reliable positive ID trait when you're not sure. If the birds aren't calling (as is often the case with lone birds of a species, even if with other species), learn them in their adult and first winter plumages first. The other plumages will soon start to make sense to you after some practice.
I use a different system to identify birds than most birders do. I understand the importance of learning calls and displays as these, in their combination never change and are the only truly reliable positive ID trait when you're not sure. If the birds aren't calling (as is often the case with lone birds of a species, even if with other species), learn them in their adult and first winter plumages first. The other plumages will soon start to make sense to you after some practice.
