[Birdtalk] Re: [Birdnet] Re: Light and dark Logan gulls

[Jason Pietrzak]

Quick update on the dark gull: I went out to the playa with Anne where
we met up with Ryan O'Donnell and then Craig Fosdick. More photos and
observation confirm the Lesser Black-backed.

Here are a couple of photos of that gull (and a Dunlin). He mostly
stood and walked around until some other gulls found food and then the
Lesser Black-backed charged in and dominated.

http://ptrzk.com/gull2/

Speaking of dominance, one thing not clear in the photos but clear
from the time I've spent observing this bird is that the behavior
certainly matches up with Iceland more than it does with Glaucous.
According to Dunne's Field Guide Companion, suggests that Icelands are
typically calm and non-aggressive whereas Glaucous are "testy or
dominant" which tends to keep other gulls at a distance. The gull I've
been observing has been very calm. As for its relationship with the
other gulls, it has almost always been in close proximity to other
gulls and hasn't shown aggressive behavior whatsoever.

Here's hoping this next storm brings even more rare gulls our way...

Jason Pietrzak



On Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 4:42 PM, Cliff and Lisa Weisse
<CliffandLisa at octobersetters.com> wrote:
> I agree with Tim, looks like a Lesser Black-backed.  Nice find.  The very
> long rear end are also a good field mark and it should have had yellow legs
> and iris.
>
> Cliff
>
> Tim Avery wrote:
>
> I would say this is not a Slaty-backed.  It's quite small, similar in size
> to the California's (a bit larger, but not that much) around it.  Looks like
> a Lesser Black-backed Gull.  Slaty-backed are  a much larger bird, similar
> in size to a Herring Gull, with a nice heavy bill.
>
> Nice job finding such great birds!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Tim
>
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> --
> Cliff and Lisa Weisse
> Island Park, Idaho
> cliffandlisa at octobersetters.com
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