Subject: [Tweeters] Re: Kent Gull
Date: Feb 1 09:28:50 2006
From: Phillip Pickering - philliplc at harborside.com


I have seen several white-winged gulls of similar bulk and bill
size over the years in Oregon, as well as numerous presumed
Glaucous x Glaucous-winged and x Herring of similar size if
not smaller. As apparent in Ruth's photos I see nothing
compellingly unusual for the normal size or shape range for
"barrovianus" compared to Oregon wintering birds and
extensive photo study of Alaskan birds. It is just small-end.

As for the orbital, I'd question whether the yellow as typical
might not be based on a regionally biased sample not including
enough Alaskan birds. In Alaska breeding Glaucous are
potentially less genetically isolated than they are anywhere else
in the world, and minor genetic impurites affecting things like
orbital tint in otherwise pure-looking birds may be much more
widespread.

Cheers,

Phil