Gull ID Please

mightymaiden · #1 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 04:54 PM

What type of gull is this?? Thought it was a black headed gull at 1st but relised beak was different. I cannot seem to find it in me books.

Any help appriciated please.

Cheers

Martin

Tringa · #2 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 05:03 PM

Looks like a black headed gull to me.

Dave

mightymaiden · #3 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 05:09 PM

I thought that myself but if it is, what is this???

The beaks are different!!!

shenk1 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 05:14 PM

1st Winter Black Headed I think.

aeshna5 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shenk1

1st Winter Black Headed I think.

1st winter would show brown in the wing + though not visible in this photo would also have a dark terminal band; also colour of bare parts a less intense colour. This is an adult in non-breeding plumage as is the bird in the top photo.

RoyW · #6 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 06:08 PM

As Aeshna has said, both photos are of adult Black-headed Gulls.

Personally I can't see any real difference between the bills of either individual. The bill on the flying bird might (perhaps) appear shorter and more pointed, but this is nothing more than a photographic effect (and possibly some minor genetic variation between the two individuals - if indeed two different individuals are involved).