Posted by Michael Lotito on February 23, 2011 at 7:04 PM
Well I am thinking iceland gull. It was taken in Long Island, NY.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on February 23, 2011 at 8:49 PM
It could be a non-breeding Iceland, but I'm more inclined to a Thayer's Gull. It's difficult to tell the species apart, but the greyish crescent ahead of the eye points me to Thayer's. The buggers hybridize, too; BNA is skeptical that they are actually different species. But, for me, a Thayer's. YMMV.
Posted by Luke Ormand on February 23, 2011 at 8:57 PM
I haven't heard of any Thayer's on LI this winter... not to say that precludes this from being one but it may be something else.
Posted by Brian Gatlin on February 24, 2011 at 9:25 AM
not an easy one, Mike...Thayer's usually (90%) has a dark iris, not pale like this bird, and the relatively small head and bill both seem better for Iceland too... It looks like a second winter bird, but the bill color seems advanced for that. I'd lean Iceland, but definitely not sure.
Posted by Jeff Loomis on February 24, 2011 at 10:47 AM
I am by no means an expert (especially with gulls), but after comparing some images on the web it occurs to me that the darker primaries would indicate Thayer's. Obviously you can't hang your hat on one field mark, so I'm just throwing it out there for discussion.
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