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Post by Wetlander on Feb 17, 2008 17:02:08 GMT -8
Sorry, :-[zoomed to the max for my camera, but perhaps there is enough detail here for some experienced gullers. Top Right Bird: Ring-billed? Bottom Right Bird was smaller and more delicate looking... Mew Gull?  Another of the more delicate looking gulls in the foreground... Mew?  |
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Post by Gord on Feb 18, 2008 21:54:49 GMT -8
Hi Kevin! Glad to see you're tackling to gulls! Getting out and looking at them is the best thing to do and then asking questions. I like that you're starting with adults as well. Smart move! My thoughts on these gulls are a little different though. The one in the top right corner looks like a Glaucous-winged X Western Gull hybrid. Often, usually among 3rd cycle gulls like I think that one might be (?) they have dark in their bills almost like a Ring-billed Gull might. Look for a gull even small than that guy for a Ring-billed. The legs should also be yellow and the wing-tips totally black. Once you see one you'll know! Similar thoughts on the bottom right. If it looks small, it's probably a female, however I would not be surprised if that one is a Herring Gull as the wings look black and the head streaking looks promising a well for one. A Mew Gull is quite small. Picture a cross between a pigeon and a gull and you have a Mew Gull! ;D Oh, and a Mew Gull will have yellow legs as well. The final bird is probably a Glaucous-winged X Western Gull hybrid as well based on the Glaucous-winged appearance but with the darker wingtips that the Western Gull brings into the 'mix'. I hope you're not discouraged! You're doing all the right things. Once you get a species down pat, it will help a great deal towards learning others in so many ways. You have one less gull to consider and all the things you learned learning that species can be applied on all the rest. If our paths ever or are ever made to meet in the field, Id really enjoy sharing what I know about them with you too. There are some pictures and brief information on gulls on the website that you might like to see. I have new and better pictures to put up yet and I would like to do what Ive been doing with other species lately which is to show similar ones together. With gulls, a bit of a daunting task! www2.webng.com/FVBirding/FVB/Species/index.htm#Gulls |
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Post by Wetlander on Feb 18, 2008 22:31:50 GMT -8
Not discouraged... Just laughing at myself. I saw the dark on the bill and didn't pay enough attention to the legs.  Thanks for the advice and patience. I'll take all the help I can get. |
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Post by Dave on Feb 19, 2008 21:01:59 GMT -8
Thanks for posting the pictures, wetlander! It is always fun to guess at the ID, but when it comes to hybrid gulls...I am usually lost  Waiting for the next quiz, Dave |
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