One thing to remember is that a 3rd cycle or adult Slaty-backed Gull never has
a smudgy head (as seen in this bird). The streaking on the head is very crisp.
The light iris typically shows after the first cycle. One other thing that
doesn't seem right here is that the stance is missing the deep-keeled look.
Looks like an Olympic Gull to me.
Stefan SchlickHillsboro, OR
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:26:56 -0800
Subject: [obol] Re: Tillamook County-Dark gull with smudgy head - id help
From: rabican1@xxxxxxxxx
To: obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Yeah, it does have that Western school-bus-yellow bill to it. Cool looking
gull for sure. Love the legs.
Bob Archer
On Wed, Jan 13, 2016 at 8:03 PM, Beverly Hallberg <mapsout@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi all,
I took a picture of this dark gull today walking the spit at Nehalem Bay State
Park. Doesn't look like a pure Western because of the head being smudgy - but
it looks kind of dark for an Olympic hybrid. Any ideas on the parentage?
https://flic.kr/p/CZZ8K6https://flic.kr/p/CZZaEP
Also had a nice flock of Semipalmated Plovers - at least 15 which eBird is
telling me is more than usual - along with 2 each of Least and Western
Sandpipers on the beach. And a Mountain Chickadee (maybe 2?) continues to
enjoy the feeders in my back yard in Manzanita/Nehalem.
Trying to learn gulls, Beverly Hallberg
