Gull ID
- Cardinal15
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Gull ID
Found this gull at Lake Rotoma on the 1/3/20. It was with similar-looking gulls. Differences were distinctive yellow legs and a more yellow bill compared to the surrounding gulls, and sleeker body. It was also the first gull to fly when approached. This gull also had a significantly different bill.
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Re: Gull ID
Looks like a fledgling black-billed gull to me, longer finer Bill, slighter Bird overall and a more round head compared to the juvenile redbilled gull which has a much chunkier shorter bill
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Re: Gull ID
Juvenile Black-billed gull.
Much longer and thinner bill, much more pale coloured than the Red-billed juvenile next to it and no/less brown spots on wings.
Much longer and thinner bill, much more pale coloured than the Red-billed juvenile next to it and no/less brown spots on wings.
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Re: Gull ID
See this...
Black-billed gull-paler grey back and longer thinner black beak
Red-billed gull-darker grey back and shorter thicker red beak
Black-billed gull-paler grey back and longer thinner black beak
Red-billed gull-darker grey back and shorter thicker red beak
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Re: Gull ID
Got the wrong genus there.
Red-billed Gulls and Black-billed Gulls are no longer in the genus Larus, they're in the genus Chroicocephalus now and have been for a while.
You'll also notice that Black-billed gulls have less black on their wing tips, the black is at the very edge while Red-billed Gulls have an entirely black wing tip.
Black-billed Gulls also have smaller pupils, this is noticeable in adult birds.
Red-billed Gulls and Black-billed Gulls are no longer in the genus Larus, they're in the genus Chroicocephalus now and have been for a while.
You'll also notice that Black-billed gulls have less black on their wing tips, the black is at the very edge while Red-billed Gulls have an entirely black wing tip.
Black-billed Gulls also have smaller pupils, this is noticeable in adult birds.
- simon.fordham
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Re: Gull ID
As always, Finn, this depends on which taxonomical reference you choose.
There is no single international standard. IOC use Chroicocephalus but NZ Birds Online and Birdlife International both use Larus.
Simon
There is no single international standard. IOC use Chroicocephalus but NZ Birds Online and Birdlife International both use Larus.
Simon
- Oscar Thomas
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Re: Gull ID
I will also mention that pupil size is not a defining characteristic for most (if not all) bird species as it is constantly regulated and changing. Black-billed Gulls can have smaller or larger pupils as a response to light intensity, but there are also some species that alter their pupil size as a display technique.
- Cardinal15
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Re: Gull ID
Thank you. Much appreciated. I just got a bit confused with the yellow legs.