ML454827631

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

See photos. Gull Notes from time of sighting. I also have several emails while discussing the bird with other folks, more experienced on gull ID. Bill: Similar to California Gull in size and shape, [proportionately] thinner than Herring or Yellow-footed's, about 3/4 the length from point of attachment to nape. It's mostly black with prominent yellow tip, some pale yellowish on [base of] lower mandible, and above and in front of nostril, slight gonydeal angle. Iris: Obvious pale yellow. Head: White with dusky streaking on forehead, crown, nape, and face. The area around the eye is black; black trailing behind eye making a line. Neck: heavier streaking than head. Ventral areas: Breast white with bold dusky spots, sides mottled; belly mottled, undertail coverts barred. Mantle: Dark gray similar to Yellow-footed, darker than Herring, California, and Ring-billed gulls, rump white with some fine barring. Wings: Coverts mostly brown with darker shafts. Secondaries darker, tertials have white mottled tips. Primaries completely black; they extend well beyond the tail [in standing bird] by at least 3 primary tips. Tail: Upper side mostly grayish/brown with mottled white at the tips. A couple of retrix on the right side appeared to be missing. Legs: Straw yellow and long, longer legged than Herring Gull Size: About the same as California Gull, noticeably smaller than all of the Herring Gulls. Not all that much larger than Heerman's Gull. Thin, narrow, long winged, rather small-headed, not nearly as bulky looking like Herring or California gulls.

Technical information

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