Saw this intriguing bird today at Lucchesi Park in Petaluma (Sonoma County)...an Iceland Gull had been reported there earlier in the week by Chris Harbard, but I never saw photos or a description so did not know what to make of it. While birding there today I was surprised to stumble upon the same bird, which indeed looked quite convincing for a Kumlien's Iceland Gull, much more so than the many pale and bleached Thayer's types that are around this time of year.
A few field marks of note:
- small bill
- small size (see photo with California Gulls below)
- heavily-patterned tertials
- long primary projection on the left wing past the tail, though this appearance may or may not be influenced by the damaged primaries on the right wing
- pale overall, darker on the underparts
- pale primaries, though they may be somewhat bleached
- pale secondary bar which does not contrast with the rest of the upperwing
- pale tail band which does not contrast heavily with the uppertail
Interesting eh? Comments are welcome.
If I saw this bird on the east coast, I'd call it Kumlien's and not think twice. But things are weird out west.
ReplyDeleteWeird indeed. Might be worth a round of punishment with the Bird Police though.
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