ML643065800

Observation details

Observed at a distance, so the photograph is not sharp and the description depends somewhat on the photograph. The bird was very noticeably larger than a nearby Ring-billed Gull. The mantle appeared to be as pale as the Ring-billed Gull. A quasi-black ring near the end of the bill suggests a winter adult - perhaps a young adult. It was difficult to see the eye at that distance, but zooming in to the photo, the eye appears to be a very pale yellow - almost white. The overall facial expression looks almost angry, compared to a California Gull's more gentle look. This is due to a less rounded head shape, and darkish coloration in front of the eye (either due to dark feathers, or to a shadow effect). The wing tips are very black with white spots, but the primaries do not extend as far as I would expect in an American Herring Gull. I did not observe the gull in flight or standing, so wing and leg details are lacking.