Yet another hybrid Gull.
Photos for fellow Lariphiliacs to enjoy and ponder:
Photo 1.
At Beals Point on Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, (Placer County), California. January 7, 1998.
This adult gull, with its long, basally pinkish bill, is larger in body size and head size than adjacent Herring Gulls. The primaries, with white apical tips, are jet black on the upper surface, yet, from below, mostly white (giving a Thayer's gull-like effect.) Its large size, somewhat paler gray mantle, pinkish-based bill, the white underside of the outermost primaries, and the sparse amount of head markings suggests Glaucous Gull parentage.
The blackish outer vanes of the primaries (visible on the folded wing) with conspicuous white apical spots indicates Herring Gull parentage.
In the case of the mantle color of the Folsom Lake hybrid, it is clearly much darker than Glaucous and only slightly paler than a Herring Gull.
Photo 2.
Same bird as above.
I think it is a very nice example of a Glaucous X Herring Gull. (but probably some form of backcross to Herring rather than full F1 hybrid)
Comments on the age? Note the blackish near the bill tip.
Reference photo
: Glaucous Gull -- Second Winter. Roosting with Adult Herring Gulls. Bill pink with ink-dipped black tip. There were a few pearly gray feathers in the mantle and the flight feathers were brighter white than the body feathers. The eye (not open here) had the beginnings of a pale iris. These features indicate progression to Second Winter plumage.
Beals Point on Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, Placer County, California. January 7, 1998.
For general interest
: What species do we have here?
Photographed at Iqaluit (formerly Frobisher Bay), Baffin Island, N.W.T., Canada -- June 15, 1980
.If you have comments, please post them to
: ID Frontiers and reference the URL:http://www.geocities.com/placerbird/HybridGulls.htm
Personal comments to
Bruce E. Webb
Granite Bay, California
(916) 797-0535