British Columbia. March |
3rd cycle type Glaucous-wingeds can show this contrasting pigment on the outer primaries and this is not necessarily indicative of outside influence (i.e., hybridization with Herring or Western Gull).
British Columbia. March |
Sightings:
July. Massachusetts. |
Age: Both birds appear to have old, faded juvenile primaries. Note the absence of p6/p7, thus they're actively molting primaries, as well as tertials and wing coverts. This "complete molt" is the 2nd prebasic molt and so we can safely say these birds are in their 2nd (molt) cycle.
Identification: A nice size comparison of two species frequently seen together on the Atlantic. The individual on the left has a mostly black bill, contrasting white head and solid, dark upperparts. It also appears slimmer and decidedly smaller. It is a rather standard 2nd cycle Lesser Black-backed. The blocky-headed gull on the right, with nondescript upperparts and relatively large paling bill is "just" a Herring Gull. The retained primaries and tertials have bleached significantly, but this is rather typical for a July bird.
Sightings:
Sightings:
London. December. |
Age: Identification and aging, once again, go hand-in-hand. This white-headed gull is either a 2nd cycle type (if a three-year gull), or a 3rd cycle type (if a four-year gull).
Identification: The time of year and location set the stage. Immediately we note the small head, thin bill with tapered tip and long narrow wings. The upperparts are not a pale silver-gray, but more of a flat gray (in part due to age and lighting). The lower neck has distinct spotting, and the eye appears disproportionally large. These features all point to the expected Common Gull. The broad white trailing edge to the secondaries abruptly becomes thin at the inner primaries. The two large mirrors on p9-p10 are helpful, and also, the all-white tail and white secondaries tips are expected in 2nd cycle type canus.
Sightings: