|
English
and Scientific names: |
Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)
|
|
Number
of individuals: |
One worn/bleached first-cycle female (based on
size) |
|
Locality:
LOUISIANA: |
Cameron Parish |
|
Specific
Locality: |
beach off LA-82, ca. 5 mi. W of Holly Beach |
|
Date(s)
when observed: |
28 March 2009 |
|
Time(s)
of day when observed: |
~12:00-12:30 PM CDT |
|
Reporting
observer and address: |
Devin Bosler Baton Rouge, LA 70802 |
|
Other observers
accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): |
Justin Bosler, Paul Conover |
|
Other observers who
independently identified the bird(s) |
Patrick Beauzay (first discovered on 21 Feb 2009),
Jay Huner |
|
Light conditions
(position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): |
Clear sky with optimal midday sunlight. Sun angle high. Backlighting or glare not a problem. |
|
Optical
equipment: |
Zeiss Victory FL 8x42, Nikon Fieldscope w/ 20-60x
optical zoom, Canon Powershot SD 1100 IS (equipment in good condition) |
|
Distance
to bird(s): |
ca. 25-30 meters |
|
Duration
of observation: |
~30 min. |
|
Habitat:
|
Sandy beach. |
|
Behavior
of bird: |
The gull was observed preening and at rest. It was roosting with a small flock of
pelicans and other larids.
Occasionally, it bullied and chased off surrounding gulls. Although not observed in flight, the gull
stretched its wings a few times allowing a full view of the spread wing. |
|
Description: |
A large, entirely white gull. Gradual sloping forehead and flat
crowned. Some brown smudges on
breast, sides, and undertail coverts, but otherwise clean white plumage. Relatively short wingtip projection and
entirely white primaries. Long and
stout, parallel-sided bill with moderate gonydeal expansion. Flesh bill with sharply demarcated black
distal third. Small, dark eye
isolated on pure white head, giving beady eye appearance. Flesh-pink legs and feet. |
|
Voice: |
Silent. |
|
Similar species: |
No other similar larids. Its entirely white plumage is unique among first-cycle large gulls
in N.A. About the same size as
surrounding Am. Herring Gulls, definitely not larger. Leucistic or albinistic gulls can be ruled
out by structure and bill color. |
|
Photographs or tape
recordings obtained? |
Yes, digiscoped photos by Devin Bosler. Yes, attached. |
|
Previous experience with
this species: |
Very familiar with GLGU. Previous experience from many encounters in PA, NY, MA, and one
prior LA observation. Most recent
GLGU studied and photographed at Fourchon Beach in Port Fourchon (Lafourche Parish) on 5 Apr 2008. |
|
Identification
aids: |
National Geographic Complete Birds of N.A.
(Alderfer et al. 2005) and Gulls of the Americas (Howell and Dunn 2007). |
|
This
description is written from: |
__Yes___ notes made during the observation
(_____notes attached?);__Yes___notes made after the observation (date:_____);
__Yes__memory. |
|
Are you positive of your
identification? If not, explain: |
Yes, positive. |
|
Reporter:
|
Devin
Bosler
|
|
Date
and time: |
12 April 2009 10:30 PM CDT |