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English
and Scientific names: |
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)
|
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Number
of individuals: |
1 basic adult |
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Locality:
LOUISIANA: |
LaFourche Parish |
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Specific
Locality: |
Along beachfront ca. 1 mile SSW of Port Fourchon, LA. Gull moved east to west along the surf line until it crossed over the far west jetty and disappeared from sight. |
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Date(s)
when observed: |
29 October 2006 |
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Time(s)
of day when observed: |
1130-1330h |
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Reporting
observer and address: |
Justin Bosler Baton Rouge, LA |
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Other observers accompanying
reporter who also identified the bird(s): |
Devin Bosler |
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Other observers who
independently identified the bird(s) |
N/A |
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Light conditions
(position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): |
Excellent light conditions with partly cloudy skies and sun positioned directly overhead. |
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Optical
equipment: |
Nikon Fieldscope 60X zoom, good condition Nikon Venturer LX 8x32 binocular, good condition Nikon Monarch 8x42 binocular, good condition |
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Distance
to bird(s): |
As close as 100 meters. |
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Duration
of observation: |
The gull was observed for a total of two hours as we followed it west along the beach as it spooked upon our approach, not allowing a close approach. |
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Habitat:
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Sandy beach near surf line. |
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Behavior
of bird: |
The gull was resting and preening on the beach in the company of several Herring Gull when first observed. The gull was also seen in flight as it worked its way west along the shoreline toward the jetty at the far west end of the beach. |
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Description: |
A large, adult dark-mantled gull, slightly larger than nearby Herring Gull with a bulky body and thick neck. Bill was large with bulbous-tipped appearance. Overall coloration of the bill was straw yellow with a small red spot visible at the gonys. Mantle and upper wings were a dark slate-gray which contrasted little with the black primaries when seen in flight. A broad white crescent was visible on the outer tertials on the resting bird, and two white mirrors were visible on P9 and P10 when the bird was in flight. One of the most distinctive features of the GBBG are its pale pink legs, which were clearly visible on this individual. There was a limited amount of dark streaking on the head, which is typical for this species in basic/winter plumage. |
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Voice: |
Voice was not heard throughout the duration of the observation. |
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Similar species: |
Similar species include Lesser Black-backed Gull, Kelp Gull, and Slaty-backed Gull. Lesser Black-backed Gull was eliminated by dark slate coloration of mantle and upper wings along with massive bill, and pale pink legs. Kelp Gull was eliminated by overall size, leg coloration, and slightly lighter colored mantle and upper wings. Slaty-backed Gull was eliminated by bill proportions, overall size, and leg coloration. |
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Photographs or tape
recordings obtained? |
Photographs were obtained by Justin Bosler and they will be attached to the report. |
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Previous experience with
this species: |
Several years of experience with the species between Maine and North Carolina on the Atlantic coast. |
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Identification
aids: |
at time of observation: No identification aids used after sighting. |
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This
description is written from: |
This description was written solely from memory. |
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Are you positive of your
identification? If not, explain: |
Yes, I am 100% positive of the identification. |
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Reporter:
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Justin Bosler
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Date
and time: |
20 December 2006; 1330h |