|
English
and Scientific names: |
Glaucous
Gull (Larus Hyperboreus)
|
|
Number
of individuals: |
1 - 2nd cycle |
|
Locality:
LOUISIANA: |
Jefferson
|
|
Specific
Locality: |
Elmer’s Island |
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Date(s)
when observed: |
October 18, 2009 |
|
Time(s)
of day when observed: |
11:00-11:15 |
|
Reporting
observer and address: |
Phillip Wallace |
|
Other observers
accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): |
David Muth |
|
Other observers who
independently identified the bird(s) |
None |
|
Light conditions (position
of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): |
Bird was NNW of the observers; sun was to the south. Light
good to excellent. |
|
Optical
equipment: |
Eagle 10x40 binoculars |
|
Distance
to bird(s): |
15 meters |
|
Duration
of observation: |
15 minutes |
|
Habitat:
|
Sandy beach |
|
Behavior
of bird: |
Resting and flying |
|
Description: |
Large gull with basically white and off-white plumage;
some coffee or grey speckling in the wings. Pale grey mantle feathers coming
in mixed with 1st cycle white feathers. In flight, primary tips show as all
white. Tail all white. Long, large bill is pinkish-flesh colored with a black
subterminal ring and a flesh-colored tip. The eye is pale. The legs are pink.
Although there were no adjacent gulls for direct comparison, the bird was
clearly Herring Gull size or larger. |
|
Voice: |
None |
|
Similar species: |
The white plumage and large size rule out all contenders.
Eye-color and mantle color determine the age. |
|
Photographs or tape
recordings obtained? |
Video by Wallace submitted to LBRC. Stills from video
accompany this report. |
|
Previous experience with
this species: |
I've seen several times in Louisiana. |
|
Identification
aids: |
Howell and Dunn's "Gulls of the Americas"
consulted after the observation. |
|
This
description is written from: |
Memory and videotape. |
|
Are you positive of your
identification? If not, explain: |
January 30, 2010 |
|
Date
and time: |
|