Hello All
As someone who has struggled with this bird each of the last 6 winters (yes,
I first saw it on 2 February 2004 when I called it a very small Glaucous
Gull) I'd be the first person to tell you that it's a thoroughly mystifying
gull. Each time I see it I'm rather in awe of how dainty it can appear, how
round that head is, how variable the primary projection can be, etc. For a
very short time I was even pretty sure it was an Iceland Gull. However, the
white-winged gull that graces Renton and Kent mid-winter during rainy
periods is subtly, but importantly different from any Iceland Gull. As near
as I can tell, it's a Glaucous Gull, albeit possibly the most unusual
Glaucous Gull anyone's documented. At any rate, I now feel comfortable that
it is not a bird that can be called an Iceland Gull.

Admittedly, with this duo (small Glaucous vs. Iceland) there is not much
concrete to go on. It would be easier to identify a juvenile bird than an
adult, as there are just no plumage differences. However, we should expect
Iceland Gull to look more compact than this bird often does.

Compare this in-flight photo of a Kumlien's Iceland Gull in WI
(http://flickr.com/photos/mtopp/2970522138/sizes/o/) with this flight shot
of the Kent Gull displaying one of its "beefier" poses
(http://www.pbase.com/godwit/image/55590741).

Additionally, Iceland Gull faces should look like Thayer's Gull, or even
cuter. Think Ring-billed Gull. The Kent/Renton bird has a bizarre, shrunken
look, but the face close up does not look like that of a small gull like
Thayer's. It looks like a shrunken Glaucous Gull.

Since the longest recorded life span for Larus hyperboreus is 21 years, we
may be "doomed" to studying this bird for some time to come! Seriously, it's
a delightfully confusing bird and I encourage anyone who likes gulls to go
have a look. However, if it's still around after 2021, we'll know that we
really are cursed.

Cheers
Charlie Wright
Bonney Lake, Washington