Charlie,

With all due respect, I find it hard to put much stock in the distinction
you draw between a "shrunken Glaucous Gull" and a Thayer's face nor the
expectation that an Iceland should "look more compact than this bird often
does." Granted, as you note, there's not much concrete to go on, though the
bird looks quite unlike any Glaucous Gull I've ever seen and to my eye is
very Thayer's like in structure and size.

Gene.

-----Original Message-----
From: tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Charlie
Wright
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 9:53 PM
To: Tweeters
Subject: [Tweeters] not an Iceland Gull in Kent

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

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