Before we do anything else, compare this bird’s ‘face’ to that of the bird in img 1. Does this bird just look smaller? Even though we have no scale to judge it against with just the photo the bill looks smaller and thinner and the eye looks bigger to me…

1st cycle bird right?

Still with the same flock, this bird is substantially smaller than the Great Black-backeds we have just been looking at. It is near a couple of adult Herring Gulls that we are certain of the identity of but doesn’t seem quite as big, even though it is quite a bit bigger than the Ring-billed Gulls nearby. Being a west coast hippy you think, “This bird is about the size of a California Gull, but they have distinctly bi-colored bills in their first cycle, and I’m in Virginia. “

So, what California Gull sized gull occurs with any regularity on east coast beaches in February? That includes Iceland (not really) and Lesser Black-backed (yep). California, and a very small Thayer’s could be considered but we know it’s not a California Gull as already noted. One glance at the primaries told us before we picked up our binoculars that it isn’t an Iceland or Thayer’s Gull.

Yes, it’s that easy.

The completely dark and narrow bill, clean white undertone, dark gray-centered scapulars and streaky brown flanks and belly are all good clues for Lesser Black-backed as well. This bird's legs are also kind of pale, not really yellow but not pink either, a clue but not diagnostic by any means.

Virginia Beach VA
February 2011