Immature red or black-billed Gull ?

General birdwatching discussion, help with bird identification, and all other things relating to wild birds and birding in NZ that don't fit in one of the other forums.
Jim Kirker
Posts: 219
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2017 8:54 pm

Immature red or black-billed Gull ?

Postby Jim Kirker » Wed Jan 15, 2020 5:51 pm

Seven adult Black-billed Gulls at Rotoma today and an immature. Can someone please say for sure if it's red or black billed ?
P1130644 (2).JPG
Immature Gull at Lake Rotoma 15/01/19
P1130644 (2).JPG (571.67 KiB) Viewed 1904 times
Richard Schofield
Posts: 187
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2009 3:46 pm
Location: Balclutha
Contact:

Re: Immature red or black-billed Gull ?

Postby Richard Schofield » Wed Jan 15, 2020 9:26 pm

Looks like Red-billed to me, based on general build and head shape. Grey upperparts look dark enough, and bill a bit on the thick side for Black-billed.
Clinton9
Posts: 1008
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 10:22 pm

Re: Immature red or black-billed Gull ?

Postby Clinton9 » Thu Jan 16, 2020 2:49 am

Two-month-old Red-Billed gull, readily started to moult its juvenile mantle & few scapulars.
Jim Kirker
Posts: 219
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2017 8:54 pm

Re: Immature red or black-billed Gull ?

Postby Jim Kirker » Sat Feb 08, 2020 10:06 am

A belated thank you to both - much appreciated.

Return to “General Birding Discussion”