All,


I?m going to throw out a few facts to pummel the Slaty-backed dead horse a bit longer.

Fact 1: As Charlie has already stated, Matt?s photos absolutely show three different
Slaty-backed Gulls. I?m not sure how many there are. There could be 16 waltzing about in that field at this very
moment, but the number of Slaty-backs that have graced or are gracing the location is
greater or equal to three.

Fact 2: The ?string of pearls? is about as relevant to Slaty-backed Gull identification as the red belly on a Red-bellied Woodpecker
is to the identification of that species. Translated: not all that relevant. This over-hyped ?field mark? is difficult to
judge accurately in the field and basically worthless to the identification of this species given that
there are about twenty other characteristics that can be seen far more easily.

Fact 3: Slaty-backed Gulls are only slightly less distinctive than Heerman?s Gulls.
Birders regularly make gull identifications that are far more challenging. The identification of
Thayer?s Gull, Herring Gull, or Lesser Black-backed Gull all offer far more
pitfalls than the straightforward identification of Slaty-backed Gull. The incursions of Slaty-backed Gulls into
the lower 48 in recent years and the accessibility of a number of photos on the
internet have granted us a better understanding of this species, but the dogma
that Slaty-backs are difficult to identify persists. Some 1st cycle Slaty-backed Gulls can be a challenge,
so can just about any large, 1st cycle gull; Slaty-backs are no more difficult than most others.
Post 1st cycle, Slaty-backs are among the most distinctive large gulls, to suggest
otherwise is simply wrong.


I was going to go off on the weakness of the ?field marks? concept and the ?Peterson System? in general,
but I?m too tired and it would go on for pages. It can all be summed up with a quote from
one of my favorite birders, (who will remain nameless) ?LOOK AT THE BLOODY STRUCTURE!?


Nice job Charlie on finding the first bird and to Matt Pike for have the presence of mind to
photograph the other two and post his photos.


If I sound a bit peeved it might relate to the fact that I spent the winter in Oklahoma
where I have seen a grand total of three species of gulls.


Cameron Cox

Cameron_cox at hotmail.com
Currently glumly residing in Muskogee, OK

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