Hello Tweets,

I was looking at pictures of the Monroe Black-headed Gull from February 2nd and 3rd, and I was struck by the fact that the pictures from each day showed two quite distinct facial patterns! It seems that Mr. Brugman from Kirkland also noticed this in his Tweeters message yesterday. Pictures from February 2nd show a more vertical marking on the "ear" (back of the auricular), that sort of blends with a faintly darkened throat.

However, in pictures from yesterday, the "ear patch" appears to be a lot more circular as well as smaller, and the throat seems to be clear white and unmarked. While it does, indeed, seem insane to even think that there could be two Black-headed Gulls in the same Snohomish County gull flock, I don't know how else the appearance of a bird could change so drastically overnight! I don't see how it could be a photo effect or different angle.

What do other birders think?

Good birding, Joshua Glant

Mercer Island, WA

Josh.n.glant at gmail.com
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