Gulls or Turns Fighting over dinner at the Dry Tortugas...help i.d.?

[jim winters]

121183

[Nick Palmieri]

Hey Jim, Good capture and story, think they are both gulls. I think the harsh light is hurting you. The bird on the left is at a very bad angle and clipped wings generally a no no. Thanks for posting and look forward to seeing more.

[Dan Busby]

I think this should have been posted in the Avian ID forum.

[Declan Troy]

Appears to be a couple of young Laughing Gulls.

[Wayne Richardson]

Hi Jim


Appears to be a couple of young Laughing Gulls.

I agree with Declan on the ID & the fact that both are immature. :w3


However, there is sufficient info in the image to be more specific:



The RH bird is a 1st year bird given the smokey grey underwings/underparts, together with the broad dark tail band;



The LH bird is a 2nd year bird as, despite the much whiter underwings/underparts, it still has some remnants of the dark tail band.


Cheers: Wayne

PS: It is always useful to have the date an image was taken, as it can help with the ID process!

[jim winters]

this was taken november 12, roughly 10am, dry tortugas, fort jefferson, near key west florida...there was also one red throated frigate bird but i couldnt get a good shot of him, i did though, get some of his harem