Lesser Black-backed Gull?

[Gord]

The subject line might be misleading here as I dont think it is even though I would like it to be. Since I have no experience with this species (it doesnt help that it is a juvenile bird) I thought it might generate some educational discussion.

This was from Sardis Pond at lunch today. It was an eyecatching bird with the body pattern, lighter head, dark wingtips and overall smaller size and skinny looking proportions.

I moved for a better vantage point with high hopes but when I saw the wings, Im not sure if they are nearly dark enough for a Lesser BB Gull. I am now thinking it might be a very small Herring Gull even though not a typical specimen. The light was not very nice. It washed out pigment a little on the pictures depending on the angle.

Im not completely sold on either.













As a sidenote, there were two Western Gulls that looked good to be 'pure'. Not often one sees two side-by-side! The lighting issue I mentioned above can be seen here.

[Mike Tabak]

Hi Gord; I don't think this is a Lesser Black-backed Gull from what I can see in the photos. The mantle and wings appear to be too pale on this gull, whereas Lesser Black-backed Gull shows a quite dark checkered pattern on the mantle and wings against a light background. Juvenile LBBG also shows a blackish tail band contrasting with a pale upper tail and rump.
The overall size and shape suggests Thayer's Gull, but the blackish primary wingtips appear wrong for that species. This gull looks paler than a normal Herring Gull, without the usual blackish tertials. This may be a hybrid gull with features suggesting Herring x Glaucous-winged Gull, one of our common hybrids.

[Gord]

Thanks, Mike.

An eyecatching bird no doubt! I wouldnt think there was anything to suggest a hybrid with Glaucous-winged there myself but then I cant say Ive seen a Herring Gull like this either! Ah, gulls! ;D

So far all my feedback has been Herring Gull and one of Herring Gull with Thayer's Gull traits which I like. I dont think it means hybrid with Thayer's though as I agree there isnt much, outside of size and shape, which suggests that to be so.

Fun fun stuff! ;D

[Ed Smith]

Hi there Gord,

Just been taking a quick look at your photos and I have to agree with Mike that this is not A LBBG.

Firstly, it appears much too pale for that species and the shots of the bird with out-stretched wings clearly show there to be a far too light 'window' on the inner primaries I think also that there are too many notches on the tertials. The bill also seems to have a pale base whereas LBBG typically shows an all black bill at this age.

Although I am not a gull expert, I am very familiar with LBBG. However, I will not speculate on what species or hybrid it actually is and will leave that to the more dedicated gull enthusiasts.

Best wishes,

Ed (writing from Enland)

[Gord]

Ed, thanks. I was hoping for some ideas from Lesser Black-back country to aid in what to look for in the future!

Thanks again.