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suzsull | profile | all galleries >> most_recent_birds_wildlife >> Is R79 pure HERG? tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Is R79 pure HERG?

I was watching this gull, debating if it was a LBBG, or possibly due to size, a LBBGXHERG for it appeared as if it was developing dark scaps, whole bird looked dark, off for HERG ( as if there is such a thing), it has that grayish tone to the head and neck not seen too often in HERG's, an almost all dark bill, which by HERG standards isa little unusual for this time of year, but not out of the relm, bill looks smallish/thinnish and coverts and tertials unmarked, plain, dark. I waited for it to fly, I got lucky. It seemed so dark when it flew ( digiscoping makes it difficult to take in details sometimes until you get to look at photos) . When I got home and looked at the photos on the computer I was shocked to see it was R79. I did not pick up on the leg band in the field. The open wings are so dark, with little to no contrast in both the upper (coverts secondaries and primaries) and underwing. This is the only open wing shots I have of R79. I have always thought this bird looked a little off, not "typical" (emphasis on typical) of HERG. Hmmmmm............. maybe I'm the one off.
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just pointing out another Thayer's type wing tip on the HERG in the photo. they pop up in so many photos
just pointing out another Thayer's type wing tip on the HERG in the photo. they pop up in so many photos
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Banded 1st yr HERG Silver Lake Wilmignton
Banded 1st yr HERG Silver Lake Wilmignton
Appledore gull R79 at Revere Beach, also seen earlier in year at Silver Lake Wilmington
Appledore gull R79 at Revere Beach, also seen earlier in year at Silver Lake Wilmington