Some winter-phase gull? in Florida Keys (1 Viewer)

[plnelson]

These photos were taken from a dive boat just south of the Florida Keys in January. The second photo suggests that the tip of the beak may be orange - of course it could be a trick of the light or a bit of Frito's.
http://pnart.com/temp/SomeGull0211.jpg

http://pnart.com/temp/SomeGull0208.jpg

I'm not even 100% sure it's a gull - maybe it's a gull-billed tern.

 

[Helsinki Birder]

Laughing Gull.

Regards

Owen

 

[plnelson]

Laughing Gull.

Regards

Owen

I can see that it could be a Laughing Gull, but how did you determine that it actually is a Laughing Gull? I find gulls, especially in their winter phase, to be very confusing so I'm looking for some tips to distinguish them. Thanks!

 

[Jim M.]

It does appear to be a Laughing Gull. The dark smudge on the head makes clear it is a hooded gull, and the thick dark bill is good for Laughing Gull. But the upper side of the wings look unusually dark -- perhaps it is just the photo.

I'm not even 100% sure it's a gull - maybe it's a gull-billed tern.

No self respecting tern would ever get close to a Cheeto! A Gull-billed Tern's wings would also be much lighter, more slender, and pointed.

Best,
Jim

 

[Jim M.]

I can see that it could be a Laughing Gull, but how did you determine that it actually is a Laughing Gull? I find gulls, especially in their winter phase, to be very confusing so I'm looking for some tips to distinguish them. Thanks!

In addition to what I noted above, the other primary hooded gull in the area is Bonaparte's Gull. It has much thinner bill and distinctive white wing tips with a black border on the trailing edge (and juveniles have an even more distinctive "M" pattern on the upper side of the wings and back).

Best,
Jim

 

[AlexC]

No self respecting tern would ever get close to a Cheeto!

333333

One of the funnier things I've ever read, Jim.

 

[dan pointon]

Indeed a Laughing Bowell.

 

[plnelson]

Indeed a Laughing Bowell.

Thanks, everyone!:t:

 

[MLoyko]

Yes I agree, i believe I asked about a similar gull when I returned from my trip to Cape May New Jersey.