I thought I heard the growl-y
voice of a BONAPARTE'S GULL, but after an eager search, dismissed it. They just
aren't very common in Seward. Then, I found one standing near some MEW GULLS.
It looked so small!
In addition to the small
size, note the thin black bill, dark smudge on the head, remnants of brown
coloration on the wings, narrow black tail band, and pinkish legs.
Many thanks to Steve Heinl
who identified it as last year's chick, now in its first summer (first molt
cycle) plumage. This year's chicks, if there are any Bonapartes nesting around
here, should start appearing in mid-July.
Check out the Anything Larus
website at
http://www.anythinglarus.com/2010/11/preformative-molt-and-bonapartes-gull.html for more photos and detailed explanations of the Bonaparte's and other gull's
molting cycles. They are an interesting and challenging group!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter
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