ML612732926

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

The only fulmar seen today was a white-morph bird that was sitting on the water over Crespi Knoll 41¼ kilometers southwest of San Mateo Point (33° 09' 02.18" N, 117° 56' 09.20" W). This was a relatively small, gull-like bird with a plump body, a stout neck, and a rounded crown on a large head. Unlike a gull, this bird had tubes along the top of a noticeably hooked bill. The tail was short, but it was difficult to see the structure of the closed wings. The head, neck, and what was visible of the underparts were white, but the back and at least most of the wings were light gray, and seemingly with a subtly scaled pattern that suggested fresh edges to the feathers. The bill was horn-colored to pale yellowish, and the eyes were dark, but we were unable to see the legs or feet on a bird that was seen exclusively as it swam at the surface.

Technical information

Dimensions

4060 pixels x 2707 pixels

Original file size

1000.84 KB