Med gull plumage comparisons.. photos

chunkychambers · #1 (**permalink**) 13-10-2006, 11:03 AM

We only see these birds in winter plumage so I thought it might be interesting to compare their plumages.

The first image is a juvenile 1st year, it has mottled plumage, black wingtips, black terminal tail band, and the typical dark eye patch which highlights the eye ring, dark legs and bill.

The second image is an immature 2nd year, the mottled plumage has gone, but there are black spots on the wingtips, the eye patch and ring are typical, at this stage the legs and bill can be redder.

The adult (no image) has no black at all, it is a very white looking bird apart from the dark eye patch, the legs and bill are a dark red to black.

The second image shows a Black Headed Gull in the foreground, this is useful for comparison:-
The med gull is larger and has a bulkier bill.
The med gull has a dark patch around the eye, bhg has a smudge towards the back of the head.
Adult med gull has no black apart from eye patch, bhg has black wingtips.
The med gull has deep red to black legs and bill, the bhg always has deep red legs and bill

I hope I haven't gone on too much and you have found the comparisons interesting, and I look forward to your comments.

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 13-10-2006, 04:27 PM

Nice pics- probably my favourite UK gull- had some good views of them at Minsmere in the spring + a good number of breeding birds at Rye Harbour earlier in the summer. Their calls are quite distinctive too!

chunkychambers · #3 (**permalink**) 13-10-2006, 05:14 PM

Thanks Neil,
I like the bird as well, but they can be a mare to spot, particularly when feeding on mud flats with BHG's.

Have you seen them in summer plumage?

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 13-10-2006, 06:06 PM

Yes, they were in breeding plumage at the 2 sites mentioned before- stunning. Interestingly its scientific name- Larus melanocephalus- translates as Black-headed Gull, which seems more apt as the head is blacker than bird we know as Black-headed Gull-L. ridibundus- which literally is marsh gull.

chunkychambers · #5 (**permalink**) 13-10-2006, 06:16 PM

Yes, the BHG would be better described as Brown Faced Gull!!
Whereas the Med Gull truly has a black head

chunkychambers · #6 (**permalink**) 13-10-2006, 07:00 PM

I've bumped this thread in the hope of a bit more feed-back, observations, and comments.
All welcome

cannylad · #7 (**permalink**) 13-10-2006, 08:10 PM

Nice photos, the adults are easy but the youngsters can be so easily overlooked.

brian

DaiTheDragon · #8 (**permalink**) 13-10-2006, 08:13 PM

Regarding the photograph I put up, I only realised what it was when I got some decent bird books and looked through some of my unidentified photo's. The image I posted was taken on the 12 June 2006. According to my books it looks like an adult in winter, but it was taken in June.

Dai

Tormentil · #9 (**permalink**) 13-10-2006, 08:22 PM

Well I've learned something from this comparison.

Perhaps we could have a few more of birds that are similar and difficult to tell apart.

chunkychambers · #10 (**permalink**) 14-10-2006, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaiTheDragon

Regarding the photograph I put up, I only realised what it was when I got some decent bird books and looked through some of my unidentified photo's. The image I posted was taken on the 12 June 2006. According to my books it looks like an adult in winter, but it was taken in June.

Dai

On your shot Dai, the reason I suggested 2nd year immature is that I could just about make out the black spots on the wingtips, the adult of course has no black at all.

chunkychambers · #11 (**permalink**) 14-10-2006, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tormentil

Well I've learned something from this comparison.

Perhaps we could have a few more of birds that are similar and difficult to tell apart.

If you're interested I did something similar comparing Willow Tit to Marsh Tit at http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...ght=willow+tit

Hope you find it interesting.....All the best Chunky.

colinaj · #12 (**permalink**) 14-10-2006, 05:54 PM

we get several Med Gulls here in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. the ringed Belgian birds are often see along with 1st winters up to 3rd Wins and adults. I love these Gulls and thier varying plumage and have even seen amed gull bhg hybrid. I think we lariophiles should have our own gull forum.
Caj

chunkychambers · #13 (**permalink**) 14-10-2006, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colinaj

we get several Med Gulls here in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. the ringed Belgian birds are often see along with 1st winters up to 3rd Wins and adults. I love these Gulls and thier varying plumage and have even seen amed gull bhg hybrid. I think we lariophiles should have our own gull forum.
Caj

I also enjoy Gull ID's, they are overlooked by many spotters for some reason.

Tormentil · #14 (**permalink**) 16-10-2006, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunkychambers

If you're interested I did something similar comparing Willow Tit to Marsh Tit at http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...ght=willow+tit

Hope you find it interesting.....All the best Chunky.

Just the thing Chunky. Thanks.

Imaginos · #15 (**permalink**) 16-10-2006, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunkychambers

If you're interested I did something similar comparing Willow Tit to Marsh Tit at http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...ght=willow+tit

Hope you find it interesting.....All the best Chunky.

So, Willow Warbler & Chiff Chaff next then! Or Common & Arctic terns.

Good comparison Chunky, still doesn't inspire me to check out juve gulls though-better left to others I think...

chunkychambers · #16 (**permalink**) 16-10-2006, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imaginos

So, Willow Warbler & Chiff Chaff next then! Or Common & Arctic terns.

Good comparison Chunky, still doesn't inspire me to check out juve gulls though-better left to others I think...

Easy!!!
They're spelt differently??