GULLS
Thayer's
Western
Temp 3
Temp 4
Temp 5
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KUMLIEN'S ICELAND GULL IN CALIFORNIA ?
Here are photos of a bird which I think
is a Kumlien's Gull, or at least very good candidated
from California. I would appreciate any comments folks
might have.
Second Cycle individual - Feb. 22, 2005.
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KUMLIEN'S- FEB.
22, 2005. Milpitas, Santa Clara, California.
A. Jaramillo |
PHOTO 1 shows the general structure
of the bird. It was roughly the same size as the Thayer's
Gulls, distinctly larger than Ring-billed Gull. Compared
to the 40 or so Thayer's Gulls it was shorter billed
than most, or equal to the shortest billed invididuals.
The legs looked shorter, particularly the tibia. Otherwise
it was similar except in flight it looked more pot-bellied
than Thayer's. The bird was in its second cycle, showing
a good amount of grey in the mantle, rounded primary
tips, second cycle patterning on greater coverts and
tertials, and a pale eye. Worn and bleached first
cycle Thayer's Gulls that are on the pale extreme
can looked white primaried, but I have not observed
this in a second cycle Thayer's ever. In fact second
cycle Thayer's are often quite blackish on the primaries,
and can be confused with Herring Gull.
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KUMLIEN'S- FEB.
22, 2005. Milpitas, Santa Clara, California.
A. Jaramillo |
PHOTO 2 is a close up of the head,
showing the short bill of this bird, definitely on
the small size for Thayer's. The eye is becoming pale,
and when I looked close I could see a reddish tint
to the orbital. The greenish-grey bill base colour
was also odd.
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KUMLIEN'S- FEB.
22, 2005. Milpitas, Santa Clara, California.
A. Jaramillo |
PHOTO 3 shows the primaries, although
they are folded with tips overlapping. This view does
give a good study of the darker muddier feather centers.
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KUMLIEN'S- FEB.
22, 2005. Milpitas, Santa Clara, California.
A. Jaramillo |
PHOTO 4 show structure and general
plumage. The legs were duller pink on this bird than
on practically all Thayer's. Not sure if that means
anything at all.
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KUMLIEN'S- FEB.
22, 2005. Milpitas, Santa Clara, California.
A. Jaramillo |
PHOTO 5 is a grainy flight shot.
The pot-bellied appearance that it showed is not visible
from this angle. The short necked look shows up though.
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KUMLIEN'S- FEB.
22, 2005. Milpitas, Santa Clara, California.
A. Jaramillo |
PHOTO 6 shows structure and plumage.
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KUMLIEN'S- FEB.
22, 2005. Milpitas, Santa Clara, California.
A. Jaramillo |
PHOTO 7 gives a view of the undersides
of the primaries, pretty pale!
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