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English and Scientific names: |
Thayer's Gull (Larus thayeri) |
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Number of individuals: |
1 first winter |
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Locality: LOUISIANA: |
Orleans Parish, New Oreans |
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Specific Locality: |
Seabrook Bridge breakwater |
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Date(s) when observed: |
25 January 2009 |
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Time(s) of day when
observed: |
1 p.m. |
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Reporting observer and address: |
Robert D. Purrington Metairie, LA |
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Other observers accompanying reporter who
also identified the bird(s): |
none |
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Other
observers who independently identified the bird(s): |
Found by Phillip Wallace, who called David Muth and myself |
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Light
conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount
of light): |
overcast, considerable
fog |
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Optical equipment: |
KOWA 60X |
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Distance to
bird(s): |
75 yards |
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Duration of
observation: |
15 minutes |
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Habitat: |
breakwater, edge of L. Pontchartrain |
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Behavior of bird/birder: |
Resting with about 50 HEGUs, plus Ring-bills, D-c Cormorants, Brown Pelicans. Flew once, just to change position on breakwater. |
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Description: |
First winter large gull, slightly smaller than adjacent HEGUs. Overall bleached or worn light buffy/tan plumage, with contrasting brown primaries, small black bill, round head, pinkish legs, faintly dusky face. |
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Voice: |
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Similar
species: |
Small black bill, round head and size eliminate HEGU, dark primary tips eliminate Glaucous-winged. |
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Photographs
or tape recordings obtained? |
I obtained some mediocre photos. Phillip and David apparently got excellent video and still phots. |
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Previous
experience with this species: |
Four or five times, all first cyle. |
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Identification aids: |
Garrett and Dunn |
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This description is written from: |
Notes taken at time, plus reviewing photos |
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Are
you positive of your identification? If not, explain: |
Yes. Everything is ruled out except hybridization and it is not clear what cross would result in these precise features. |
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Reporter: |
Robert D. Purrington
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Date and time: |
25 January, 2009, 5 p.m. |