Glaucous Gull

[Bill Dix]

From Svalbard last year. I believe I am correct with the ID - perhaps a juvenile bird. It was flying around with an adult Glaucous Gull that lacked the mottled/speckled appearance. Someone tell me if you have a different idea. Shot from the stern of a rolling ship in dull light.

D500, Sigma 150-500C @ 440mm, ISO 3200, 1/2500s @ f/8 manual, HH. Cropped from horizontal; full height.

[John Mack]

Nice dorsal view. Like the framing as is.

[Daniel Cadieux]

It could very well be Glaucous, but not sure what else is there in that part of the world. It's starting to get the grey mantle, plus the red dot on the bill is partly showing...with that this looks like a bird going into 3rd winter plumage. Anyhow, good vertical comp, excellent sharpness, and I like the BG.

[gail bisson]

Very nice topside view. Nice and sharp.
This image really makes me feel like I am flying along with the bird!
Gail

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Beautiful dorsal capture, Bill. Great detail, sharp as a tac, and I like the overcast light.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu (http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu)

[Dorian Anderson]

Beautiful topside view - exposure and detail are great across the wingspan. He pops nicely on the darkish-gray water. This bird is just acquiring his adult gray, and his beak it switching from pink/ with black tip to yellow with red spot. So, it is a really unique frame on that technicality as well. Should have more room above and left if you have it.

[Arthur Morris]

Looks pretty good for Glaucous, and a nice image it is. With your permission, I'd like to try to post this to the North American Gulls site where there are lots of experts ... The bill looks a bit slim so a hybrid might be possible.

with love, a

[Bill Dix]

Thank you all for your comments. Yes, Artie, you have my permission. I'd be happy to have their input; let me know what they say. This was captured off Svalbard on May 12, 2018.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks, Bill. I posted it and will post a link if somebody responds. With love, a

[Arthur Morris]

An interesting comment here (https://www.facebook.com/groups/nagulls/permalink/2406693296043543/) by a guy who is very familiar with this species in Svalbard.

with love, a

[Bill Dix]

Thanks Artie, but since I don't do Facebook I can't open the link.

[Arthur Morris]

Here are two responses:

Martin Gray (https://www.facebook.com/martin.gray.56):Agree with 3rd cycle (4 CY) Glaucous. The breeding Svalbard Glaucous are very petite, soft-featured and generally very reminiscent of Herring Gull in many ways. I'm not aware of this being described or even proposed in any literature but 15 seasons of observation up there has left me in no doubt.

Dave Brown (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=576965652): I agree with Glaucous, but this bird is far too dark for a 3rd cycle imo. I think this is a second-cycle bird. A 3rd cycle bird would show much more adult gray above, less brown mottling on the rump and below and also paler primaries. This looks like a fairly standard 2nd cycle to me.

So the question remains, 2nd cycle, or 3rd cycle? (CY is calendar year).

a

[Bill Dix]

Thank you so much for the information, Artie. Very interesting even if not totally conclusive. Although neither of the experts mentioned it, I've read that Glaucous/Herring hybrids are not uncommon. Perhaps that is not an issue here.

[Arthur Morris]

YAW> I thought of Glaucous X Herring but nobody mentioned that on the FB page. I will check back for more.

a