What's this?

[Joerg Rockenberger]

Sorry I don't know my Gulls and Terns very well. It was small, e.g. smaller than a Forsters Tern, and at times floating on the water picking at the surface almost like a Phalarope. The image was taken today in the San Francisco Bay area.

Looking at the Sibley I was thinking non-breeding Bonapertes Gull. But the black tips of the tail feathers don't fit. Although it would partially match a 1st winter BG. But then, it's July...

Thanks in advance. JR

[John Chardine]

John- I think you are right, it is a Bonaparte's Gulls. We start seeing boneys come through here on migration starting in July and the migration includes chicks of the year. However, if this were a fledgling I would expect to see the wings in much better condition that this bird's.

[Joerg Rockenberger]

Thanks John for the confirmation. I still got much to learn about birding in general... JR

[Arthur Morris]

Hi John, Actually, Bonapertes Gull is a smaller subspecies of Bonaparte's Gull :) :D :) Not!