ML55636051

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Ross's Gull Rhodostethia rosea Date: 16 November, 1996 Location: Indian River Inlet. Sussex County, Delaware Weather: Mostly sunny, Temperatures 50's, Winds N 5-10 MPH. Time: 1345-1530 Optics: Zeiss 7x42 binoculars and Kowa X20-60 scope. Other observers: Approximately 15-20 others during the time period. Details: I arrived at Indian River Inlet at about 1330 after receiving word of a Ross's Gull that had been found earlier in the vicinity of Indian River Inlet. About 15 minutes later a gull flew in from the marina and landed on the water near the foot bridge to Burton's Island. After alighting on the water for about 30 seconds it took flight and began feeding in a hovering type manner along the footbridge and then flew off towards the marina and the bay. I was able to observe the gull feeding along the rocks on both sides of the bay off and on for the next two hours. Distances of observation from the gull varied from 6-300 meters. General Appearance: Small gull about the size of a Bonaparte's Gull with gray upperparts and slate-colored underwings, a rosy-pink tinged breast and a white wedge-shaped tail. Upperparts: The head appeared white and rounded with a large prominent black eye. The nape contained a faint circular line of dark feathers resembling a faint small collar. The mantle and back were gray. The upperwings were gray with a broad white trailing edge from the secondaries to about the mid-primaries. This white trailing edge gradually narrowed as it reached the tip of the primaries. The outer most primary was edged in black. Underparts: The breast, belly and flanks were tinged with a rosy-pink color. The underwings were a smoky or slate-color but not black. Tail: The tail was wedge-shaped and white above and below. Bare parts: The bill was black and the feet were red. Behavior: It appeared buoyant in direct flight. While feeding it would hover just over the water and appear to pluck food either from the surface or just under the water. It would feed in this manner or by making several back and forth flights over the same area sometimes alighting for a few seconds on the water surface. At no time did I see it plunge or dive underwater. It did not associate with any other gulls or terns in the area. Separation from similar species: It could be separated from adult winter plumaged Little Gull by the lack of dark black underwings and the appearance of the white wedge shaped tail and rosy breast.. Bonaparte's, Black-headed and Sabine's Gulls in adult winter plumage have very different wing patterns, tail shape and lack the rosy breast.

Technical information

Model

CanoScan 9000F

Dimensions

2048 pixels x 1208 pixels

Original file size

1.84 MB