Gulls are confusing me - IDs please?

kotsyfi · #1 (**permalink**) 18-10-2010, 10:34 PM

Some help please? I think I can now (almost) confidently identify black-headed gulls, but what about these ones?

I think this is a herring gull:

Not at all sure about this one:

Herring gull again (with black-headed gull behind him)?

Ferret · #2 (**permalink**) 18-10-2010, 11:55 PM

I think they are all Herring Gulls (except for the Black-headed) 1&3 are adults, 2 is a 1s winter.

Ferret

aeshna5 · #3 (**permalink**) 19-10-2010, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferret

I think they are all Herring Gulls (except for the Black-headed) 1&3 are adults, 2 is a 1s winter.

Ferret

I would concur with this!

actionfinch · #4 (**permalink**) 19-10-2010, 02:23 PM

there alot of gulls around our place ATM and when ther up in the air i find it hard to identify ( sorry to us your thread kotsyfi

)
but can any body help identifying the ones in the air...please..
( thanks again kotsyfi

)

RoyW · #5 (**permalink**) 19-10-2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by actionfinch

there alot of gulls around our place ATM and when ther up in the air i find it hard to identify ( sorry to us your thread kotsyfi

)
but can any body help identifying the ones in the air...please..
( thanks again kotsyfi

)

The features that you generally need to look for are the colour of the upperparts, the exact patterns of dark & light colours on the wing tips, and sometimes the rear edge of the wing - if you have a good field guide (like 'The Collins Guide') these will be ilustrated for gulls of different ages. Size is also very useful, but often difficult to judge. If you are able to get, and post, photos then I'm sure that we will be able to help.

kotsyfi · #6 (**permalink**) 19-10-2010, 05:04 PM

Thank you all for your answers

Couldn't the younger one be a lesser black-backed? That's what got me confused, I find them very similar. I guess once my eye gets more experienced I will be able to tell the difference.

RoyW · #7 (**permalink**) 19-10-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kotsyfi

Couldn't the younger one be a lesser black-backed? That's what got me confused, I find them very similar. I guess once my eye gets more experienced I will be able to tell the difference.

They are very similar in juvenile and 1st winter plumage, so don't worry too much if you find them difficult - they do get easier with experience!
The young bird in your second photo shows obvious pale 'notches' along the edge of the tertials (above the closed primaries in your photo), which is a feature of Herring Gull. Lesser Black-backed Gulls of the same age tend to have much plainer, dark centered tertials with just a narrow pale edge. The greater coverts on Lesser Black-backed also tend to be darker, which can give the closed wing a darker look.