Posted by Ron Dudley on February 17, 2010 at 8:00 PM
To say that I'm gull ID challenged is a huge understatement. This was taken yesterday in Northern Utah as these gulls were feeding on dead carp. I'm curious about the larger, mostly white gull in the center. The bird has mud on its lower legs. Another view below.
Thanks for any help.
Ron
Posted by Ron Dudley on February 17, 2010 at 8:01 PM
Here's a look at the wingspread.
Posted by Luke Ormand on February 17, 2010 at 9:03 PM
My first thought was 'First Year Glaucous Gull" and I believe this is right after looking it up in the Peterson Field Guide. If you photographed this in Salt Lake City it would be a very good find - but certainly within the limits of its range.
What points me to this ID is its large size, coloration and marking on the bill
- Luke
Posted by Ron Dudley on February 18, 2010 at 8:54 AM
Thank you Luke. Yes, this bird was photographed very near to SLC.
Posted by Richard Ditch on February 18, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Its been 15 years since I got to see the "white-winged gulls" each winter in NJ, but I too think this is a First Winter Glaucous Gull. It looks very large compared to the other gulls.
New question for everyone: what other gulls are in these two images?
Posted by Mia McPherson on February 18, 2010 at 11:21 AM
Looks like a Ring-billed Gull front left, a Ist year Herring Gull (perhaps) at the back left and a Herring Gull on the right in the orginal post?
Second image, ring-billed front left, Herring near the right side of the frame?
Posted by Doug Backlund on February 19, 2010 at 11:15 AM
I'm with all of you on glaucous, ring-billed and herring. I was thinking of the possiblity of a California gull in the second image (gull on the right), but the mantle doesn't seem dark enough, althought the bill seems smaller than a typical herring.
Discussion
6 repliesThanks for any help.
Ron
What points me to this ID is its large size, coloration and marking on the bill
- Luke
New question for everyone: what other gulls are in these two images?
Second image, ring-billed front left, Herring near the right side of the frame?