Question to you folks familiar with California Gulls: does a
juvenile Calif Gull ever have a totaly black bill?? The literature I
have states that a juv. Calif has a pink bill with a definate black
tip.
Here's why I ask: yesterday, along the north shore of Lake Superior,
as I sat in my car having a burger and fries, the usual gang of Ring-
billed Gulls and Herring Gulls stood watch, ready to mooch something.
Then appeared a juvenile gull with totaly black bill, extensive
dusky ear coverts/eye crescent, very long wings, and slimmer, more
rounded forehead, with a bill that was smaller and slimmer than the
Herrings. It was quite a bit larger than the Ring-bills and a bit
smaller than the Herrings. The Herrings also had dark bills, but
with a bit of tannish color on the lower mandible. Using my precious
french fries I lured everyone to the side of my car for good field
note taking. God, for a camera!!
Anyway, I'm thinking juvenile Thayer's Gull, others are thinking
Calif Gull. Neither should be around now. What think ye?? Thanx
and CHEERS
Gary Otnes
Fergus Falls, MN
otnesg at mdh-fergus-falls.health.state.mn.us