ML439702561

Age and sex

Immature Unknown sex - 1

Observation details

Well seen and photographed second cycle. Found at seal haulout gull roost, then relocated near tip of north jetty, then seen feeding and loafing offshore amongst SUSCs. The bird was relatively close when I first found it. I haven't seen a second cycle Slaty-backed before but this one seemed to be a pretty classic-looking individual both in terms of plumage and structure. Overall fairly large (similar to Western) and stocky bird. Primary extension on the short side for a large gull. Legs short and more reddish/deeply colored than nearby Westerns. Bill stout but neither heavy nor long; parallel-edged with weak gonydeal angle. Eye extremely pale. Some light smudging/spotting on the head/around the eye, heavier markings on nape and side of neck. Dark tail band and white rump. Mantle dark gray, appearing a shade darker than nearby Westerns. Unmolted upperwing coverts very pale (mostly from being worn/bleached presumably). Primaries a medium-brown on upperside (with narrow pale tips) and very pale on underside. Flight photos show upperwing pattern well.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 90D

Lens

EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

ISO

400

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/8.0

Shutter speed

1/1000 sec

Dimensions

1948 pixels x 1392 pixels

Original file size

1.84 MB