Gull and Swallow

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Back to Public Comments ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Robert Hughes (152.163.197.46) on August 05, 2000 at 16:31:10:

Except for the long primary extension I don't see why the gull isn't a Glaucous. The head looks to large and flat-crowned for an Iceland. The bill is at a bad angle to judge depth and length but doesn't seem quite small enough for an Iceland anyway. The bird appears to be at least 3 years old; wouldn't a Glaucous-winged at this stage show at least some gray in the primaries? Also, the primary extension seems to long for a GWG. The barrovianus subspecies of Glaucous Gull is supposed to be smaller and longer winged than other GG subspecies - perhaps this explains the small size of this bird.
The swallow looks like a Violet-green - I don't think any of our other swallows would show a white line above the eye and a mottled cheek like the mystery bird.

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Except for the long primary extension I don't see why the gull isn't a Glaucous. The head looks to large and flat-crowned for an Iceland. The bill is at a bad angle to judge depth and length but doesn't seem quite small enough for an Iceland anyway. The bird appears to be at least 3 years old; wouldn't a Glaucous-winged at this stage show at least some gray in the primaries? Also, the primary extension seems to long for a GWG. The barrovianus subspecies of Glaucous Gull is supposed to be smaller and longer winged than other GG subspecies - perhaps this explains the small size of this bird. : The swallow looks like a Violet-green - I don't think any of our other swallows would show a white line above the eye and a mottled cheek like the mystery bird.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Public Comments ] [ FAQ ]