11 replies to this topic

[Melissa :)]

Any ideas on these gulls? Seen at Bombay Hook NWR. Hoping for something other than Herring!

1) [attachment=97540:gull_1 copy.jpg]

2) [attachment=97541:gull_2 copy.jpg]

3) [attachment=97542:gull_6 copy.jpg]

4) [attachment=97543:gull_8.jpg]

5) [attachment=97544:gull_11.jpg]

6) [attachment=97545:gull_12 copy.jpg]

[Sparky the Cuttlefish]

3, 4, and 5 look like Forster's Terns to me, with the black eyepatches. I'm steering clear of the rest of them, though, haha.

[Melissa :)]

Haha, still thanks for trying Limpkin!! I would never be able to tell that those were Forsters Terns!

[Melissa :)]

I have another picture for 1 & 2 if needed.

[Joejr14]

#1 is a Laughing Gull. I'd like to see another picture of #2, if you have it. 3-5 are indeed Forster's Terns. #6 could be laughing as well.

[Melissa :)]

Hope this helps!!
[attachment=97550:gull_4.jpg]

[psweet]

#2 is a Laughing -- #1 looks like a 2nd summer Ring-billed. No plumage of Laughing should have such a clean white head.

[Liam]

I'd like to see another picture of 1.

[Melissa :)]

I'm not entirely sure this will help... looks really close to the first. Sorry!
[attachment=97553:gull_3.jpg]

[Liam]

I agree that it's a Laughing Gull, but I've never seen one with such a minimal amount of black on the head (aka none).

[Melissa :)]

Thank you SOO much everybody!!!

[Grandpa577]

When were these pictures taken?

If #1 is a Laughing Gull, the head color and the upperparts color are wrong ( too light). I suppose the Forster's could be either nonbreeding or first year birds if the photos were taken recently. #2 looks like a Herring Gull. #6 reminds me of a Herring Gull but the head appears to have gray on it while the undertail coverts are white(?) The wings are lost because of the lighting angle, I would suspect.