My first call was a Black Backed Gull, Great or Lesser, but the bill is throwing me off. This is a "large" gull (bigger than a Herring Gull) that I photographed on Tybee Island, GA this morning. Any educated answers? I have looked in Sibley, Audubon and Peterson, but found nothing of this size with a black bill with a white tip. My feeling is this is just coming out of the juvenile stage, but I am hoping someone can give me a definitive answer.
Posted by Richard Ditch on November 9, 2011 at 2:15 PM
Great Black-backed Gull. I think that's tar/oil on the beak. The tip looks slightly yellow to me, as it should be.
Thanks, Richard. Here is a closeup of the head. You may be right, but a second look might help.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on November 9, 2011 at 6:55 PM
No question, Phil. Great Black-backed Gull. The species is a four year gull; this is in final transition to adult basic plumage. This next summer it should have adult breeding plumage. At my peril, I'll disagree with Richard and say the bill is in transition to adulthood as well, as opposed to being stained.
Posted by Richard Ditch on November 10, 2011 at 7:56 AM
At my peril, I'll disagree with Richard and say the bill is in transition to adulthood as well, as opposed to being stained.
Discussion
4 repliesNo peril - seeing the close up I agree.