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Nick Komar | all galleries >> Birds >> Large Gulls >> Gulls at Larimer Landfill, 28 Feb 2015 > California Gull (intermediate)
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28-Feb-2015

California Gull (intermediate)

With two Ring-billed Gulls. The California Gull (bottom bird) is pale gray like "albaertensis" but small like "californicus." The well defined white tertial and scapular crescents and dark eye (barely visible) distinguish it from Ring-billed Gull. Unlike the other California Gulls present, this one has not completed its pre-alternate molt, as streaking on the head is still present to a small degree. In the field, I noted the bill morphology (black and red spot) consistent with California Gull. So, is it a runt (or small female) albaertensis, or an intermediate between the two forms? It seems pale even for albaertensis, so hybrid with Ring-billed Gull would be another option.

Canon PowerShot SX600 HS
1/640s f/5.6 at 132.7mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large auto
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