ML74731061

Age and sex

Adult, Unknown sex - X

Media notes

Adult Common Gull in alternate (breeding) plumage at Cobourg Harbour on 23 March 2011. It was smaller than the Ring-billed Gulls and its mantle shade was very close to that of the Ring-billeds. In today's low light, it could not be picked out from the Ring-billeds on mantle shade. Its legs are yellow and there is a hint of a ring on the bill.  

Observation details

Found by Sarah Petrasek on 23 March 2011. I received photos from Chris McConnell and Bruce Parker of the spread wing which shows Primary 8 is extensively black with no grey tongue reaching a white pearl or spot. The spread wing pattern and pale mantle indicate this is a Common Gull Larus canus canus, which is the nominate subspecies of the Mew Gull from Europe. Some consider it a separate species. Mars Muusse, European gull expert with the Gull Research Organisation Forum, said on 29 March 2012: "It looks spot on for nominate canus." He linked to a few images here: http://gull-research.org/canus/canus5cyapr.html More photos of spread wing here: http://jeaniron.ca/Gulls/2011/mewcobourg.htm Adult Common Gull in alternate (breeding) plumage at Cobourg Harbour on 23 March 2011. It was smaller than the Ring-billed Gulls and its mantle shade was very close to that of the Ring-billeds. In today's low light, it could not be picked out from the Ring-billeds on mantle shade. Its legs are yellow and there is a hint of a ring on the bill.   Accepted as Larus canus canus/heinei (Common Gull of Eurasia) by the 2011 Ontario Birds Records Committee.

Technical information

Dimensions

2600 pixels x 1759 pixels

Original file size

235.84 KB