ML128017971

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

***mega; many digiscoped photos including spread wing at http://www.flickr.com/photos/miliff/4304606323/. First seem bathing in water, when it was one of the first dark-backed gulls I checked. I immediately suspected Slaty-backed based on the mostly whitish head with large, blotchy cinnamon-brown squarish spots on the nape. Structure recalled a large, flat-headed Herring Gull and mantle color seemed a bit pale for Great Black-backeds, confirmed when a Great Black-backed swam nearby. As it flew towards me I had the impression of pale undersides to the primaries and extra white in the wing, later confirmed by photos. I focused more on photographed than studying the bird. It then flew up to the ice, allowing confirmation of several field marks: staring pale whitish eye; dark feathering clustered around eye; mantle dark slaty-gray contrasting with black wingtips which had large white apical spots; legs bright pink. It then flew and landed among gulls and I spent the net 15 minutes digiscoping its head and occasionally wings when visible among gulls. Hard to pick out from others unless its head was up, but when it was, its more reddish brown head streaking stood out from all gulls present and its staring eye was also unique. Photos showed p10 with large white mirror and dark subterminal band; broad secondary and inner primary tips; subapical crescents on p8, p7 forming "string of pearls". A classic Slaty-backed with no inconsistencies and no ambiguities, although the views were never fully unobstructed or leisurely.

Technical information

Model

Canon PowerShot A1000 IS

ISO

1600

Focal length

16.8 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/13.0

Shutter speed

1/200 sec

Dimensions

3648 pixels x 2736 pixels

Original file size

1.28 MB