Most evenings I drive through the park to check if all is peaceful, and sometimes see some interesting wildlife.
So, please jump in and help me identify this unusual (to me) gull!
The below photo, I found on the internet, in a collection of photos of the California gulls. I think this may be my gull!
UPDATEI went back the next two days and got more pictures, which I am including here, to show the colors with the sun behind my back instead of the opposite!
The below photo, I found on the internet, in a collection of photos of the California gulls. I think this may be my gull!
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All I can say is that it is a sub adult gull. Gull identification is very challenging.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely looks like an immature Gull, but as Judith has said Gull's are so hard to identify.
ReplyDeleteWell, if you and Judi aren't sure, I'm not going to be any help. The gulls I'm used to are large and white - this one is really pretty. I've never seen one like this before.
ReplyDeleteCould very well be. Though your gull appears to have pinker legs. ??
ReplyDeleteJudi, please look at the new picture added to the blog page and see the leg color. It is taken with the sun behind the photographer, and the others are the opposite!
DeleteI've been pouring over my books and waiting to see what Judy said! I'll wonder if it is a first summer and potentially a hybrid mix. Without knowing its size, California seems possible with the small head to body, and long neck shape. However the bill length and eye line look a lot like 1st summer Herring. Note the eye line in your photos that is more prominent than the internet photo you added. Regardless--a great set of photos and the wonder is the fun part!
ReplyDeleteMy guesstimation on the bill length is that the bill is a bit longer than the herring gull, plus without something to get a size measurement, I think this bird is smaller than a herring. All my past experience is that herrings are huge in comparison to other gulls! Judi mentioned the leg colors, though!
DeleteI am of no help on this one. I like the shot of the gull in the water. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of gulls near the river here, and I can't tell you the males from the females. Sorry, I'm no help!
ReplyDelete