ML126518331
Herring x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) Larus argentatus x glaucescens
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age and sex
- Immature Unknown sex - 1
- Behaviors
- Flying
Observation details
Continuing from December 3rd. First-winter. This bird was initially misidentified as a Thayer's Gull based on the plumage. Note venetian-blind outer primaries, outer primaries grayish-brown rather than blackish, inner primary window not distinct or obvious, secondaries contrasting only subtly with the rest of the wing, and tail brownish with pale bases to outer feathers. Thayer's Gull eliminated by the large bill, bulky-chested structure, and broad-based wings. Plumage is very similar to Thayer's Gull. Pure Glaucous-winged Gull eliminated by wingtips and secondaries being too dark and by pale bases to outer rectrices. Bill is also subtly less bulbous than most Glaucous-winged Gulls (but not all). Glaucous-winged Gull x Western Gull eliminated by relatively pale color, pale bases of outer rectrices, streaking on neck, and relatively thin Herring Gull-like structure to bill, not obviously bulging at the tip. Also probably too light for most examples of this hybrid combination. Slaty-backed Gull very similar, but eliminated by pale patterning in greater secondary coverts, visible in other photos not posted here. Relatively thick bill may also be outside range of typical Slaty-backed Gull (reflecting Glaucous-winged ancestry). Photographed:
Technical information
- Model
- NIKON D90
- ISO
- 400
- Focal length
- 122 mm
- Flash
- Flash did not fire
- f-stop
- f/7.1
- Shutter speed
- 1/500 sec
- Dimensions
- 2975 pixels x 1805 pixels
- Original file size
- 1.35 MB