Gull ID Needed
EOS-1D Mk III, 500mm f/4 + 1.4xII, 1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 800
Evaluative metering at +2
Fill Flash at -3
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Photographed last week in heavy overcast conditions with drizzling rain on Plum Island in MA.
Wanted to verify the age/ID on this one.
My best guess was Laughing Gull but bill didn't look quite right?
Looks like a Bonaparte's Gull to me.
I see 1000s of Bonaparte's Gulls every year in the Bay of Fundy, and my first reaction upon seeing the image (and not reading the comments) was "Bonaparte's Gull", so agree with Axel.
So why is it a BOGU? Note the "dainty" appearance and the relatively small, thin, short, blackish bill. Laughing Gulls show a much bigger bill - a real "schnoz". This is a young bird because it is not showing a full, dark hood, and as mentioned, it's not where it should be at this time of year- in the northern Boreal forest, breeding.
However, remember folks in the Northern Hemisphere, the nights are getting shorter and the migrants from the Arctic will start to arrive soon! In the Bay of Fundy, we start to see Bonaparte's Gulls on migration in mid-July- only two weeks away! Most of these I see at that time are still in full adult plumage, hence my thinking that this bird is a young one (fledged in a previous year, likely 2008).
Agree with Peter this is a super image Mike!
Last edited by John Chardine; 06-30-2009 at 05:02 PM.
I can't do proper ID right now but the mantle is quite pale on this bird. This puts me more to the Bonaparte's camp.
One thing to keep in mind though is that Little Gulls are rare visitors at Plum Island this time of the year too.
The eye arcs are too wide for Little though, I think. On the other hand there's some black in carpal which points to Little.
Did you ever see the legs of this bird?
I made this on Plum Island on June 19, 2007. I think it is a juvenile Bonaparte's Gull.
Hm, Axel's Bonaparte's has much larger bill although Mike's bird can't be properly estimated due to HA.
Still, I'd reconsider Little, I think Mike's bird has more slender bill.
I wasn't sure about the ID at first, either. If I remember correctly an experienced birder told me that these were Bonaparte's Gulls. Let's see what other people think. Here is another bird, same day, same location:
Thanks to all for your help!
Unfortunately, I didn't see the legs. There were 2 birds in the water and the rain had just picked up.Originally Posted by Ilija Dukovski
I captured a few images and then headed back to the car.
Here is another image cropped larger in the frame with a more parallel head angle.
Bill does look slightly smaller relative to the head but, otherwise, it certainly looks like Axel's bird to me.
The main argument against Little and for Bonaparte's would be the long wings with large projection relative to the tail.
Also, as I mentioned the eye arcs are to wide.
Mike I think you are right, it is Bonaparte's.
I too support the ID of Bonaparte's Gull for the images posted here. All birds are in 1st summer plumage, as can be seen by brownish wing coverts & dark tail band. The extent of dark hood varies individually &, of course, seasonally.
Other species mentioned can be eliminated by a combination of jizz & plumage detail:
- Laughing Gull is a larger gull, but with relatively small head & long drooping bill. Mantle is much darker than Bonaparte's & would usually have a greyish 'shawl'.
- Franklian's Gull is large headed & stout billed, with dark grey mantle like Laughing Gull. The primaries would have white 'mirrors.
A Bonaparte's Gull looks like (smaller) delicate Black-headed Gull, but I suppose this Old World species is not familiar to most in North America. All gulls mentioned have differing wing patterns (above & below) which aids the ID process. Leg colour, not visible in Mike's bird, would also be relevant.
- Little Gull is similarly large headed, but with thinner bill & swimming birds look 'neckless'. 1st summer birds would tend to show more dark wing coverts than Bonaparte's, but much individual variation, plus a grey neck 'boa'.
Cheers: Wayne
Here's a "for sure" adult Bonaparte's Gull in Basic, winter plumage for good measure. Image made at Deer Island, New Brunswick.
Last edited by John Chardine; 07-03-2009 at 12:00 PM.
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