The Ugly Gull Page
(Where our motto is: If Gull ID was
easy these would be the ugly Empidonax page
Wayne Hoffman sends these photos taken 5 April 2009 between
12:30 and 1:00 PM
And includes the following comentary:
"I walked the nature trail at Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport.
The highlight was a concentration of at least 300 Mew Gulls, about 80%
adults. I spent a while with them and saw a lot of variation. Most had
lost the winter head streaking. One
had a distinct black tip to the bill, and a second had a more extensive
black, but fading to near yellow at the very tip. This bird had several
atypical features in addition to the bill color, including a yellowish
iris, and much less white than typical in the wingtips. It also seemed
a slightly larger than the others, with slightly longer legs. The bill
was also longer than average." [emphasis added]
What do you think this is? Comment?
Read what
others think.
More shots
|
This page is dedicated to providing an
identification
forum for those challenging gulls
that often differ from the pictures in your average
field
guide.
And if we can't get them identified, at least we can
get into some good arguments over them.
Do we really believe they're ugly? Only in the
metaphorical
sense.
It's hard to imagine that anyone putting the kind of
energy gull watchers put into the art and science of Larid ID
could really believe they're unattractive......
The Ugly Gull Pages are moderated by Mike
Patterson who does not claim to be a "Gull Expert."
The rule of thumb for moderating comments can be
found
HERE.
Quick
Key to gulls of the North Coast of Oregon
On
gulls and Christmas bird counts
Gull
ID tips from UPS
Steve
Hampton's Gull Page
Text References
If you have an ugly gull and don't know what
its
(or you know, but you want to test us)
you can send *.jpg or *.gif attachments to:
celata@pacifier.com
Do not send attachments to OBOL or tweeters.
References
Ainley, David G., et.al.. Beached Marine Birds and Mammals of the North
American West Coast. 1980. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of
the Interior.
Farrand, John (ed.). The Audubon Society Master Guide to Birding (gulls to
dippers). 1985. Alfred A. Knopf, N.Y..
Grant, P.J.. Gulls: a Guide to Identification. 1986. Buteo Books,
Vermillion, SD.
Grant, Peter & Killian Mullarney. The New Approach to Identification. 1989.
Witley Press,ltd. Hunstanton, Norfolk, GB.
Harrison, Peter. A Field Guide to Seabirds of the World. 1987. The Stephen
Greene Press, Lexington, MA.
Harrison, Peter. Seabirds: an Identification Guide. 1988. Houghton Mifflin,
Boston.
Kaufman, Kenn. Advanced Birding. 1990. Houghton Mifflin, Boston.
Sibley, David A. The Sibley Guide to Birds. 2000. Alfred A. Knopf, NY
