[TN-Bird] Re: Polk Co. gull with black hood
- From: Chris Sloan <csloan1973@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: TN-Bird Listserv <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2014 10:04:36 -0500
I have seen some of the photos and I do not think the hood is at all
inconsistent with a Bonaparte's; keep in mind that Bonaparte's are molting
this time of year also. That said, it is also not inconsistent with a
Common Black-headed and the photos I saw aren't sufficient to conclude one
way or the other. The report is intriguing and Jimmy's notes about size
and shape are certainly consistent of the ID as Black-headed. I also heard
from one observer who referenced a reddish bill, which would not be
consistent with Bonaparte's. But, I also got a second-hand report that an
observer saw the bird in flight and did not see dark under the primaries,
which is a major strike against Black-headed if in fact that is the case
(although it can be surprisingly hard to see depending on lighting
conditions and viewing angle).
Hopefully folks will re-find it today and get better looks and photos to
resolve the issue. With decent looks, it should be fairly straightforward
ID.
Chris Sloan
Nashville, TN
http://www.chrissloanphotography.com
On Sat, Apr 12, 2014 at 9:53 AM, <TenacBirder@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Possible Black-headed Gull
> Parksville Lake, Polk co., TN
>
> Let me preface by saying I am not a Gull expert. Until Saturday 11 April,
> 2014 I have never seen a Black-headed Gull nor a Franklin's Gull. I have
> some experience with Bonaparte's Gull in winter in Chattanooga. I kid a
> lot by saying things like "you can take my opinion and $1.25 and buy a cup
> of coffee at most convenience stores."
>
> While studying the gull for more than 20 minutes I couldn't decide if I
> was seeing a Black-headed Gull or a Franklin's Gull. I had basically ruled
> out Franklin's because I could never see the white bands in the tail of
> this bird. Laughing Gull was immediately ruled out because the black hood
> didn't look right. I was really leaning toward Black-headed Gull.
>
> I received a phone call from someone whom I respect immensly in the
> Chattanooga birding community. She said another well respected bird
> authority in our area thought the gull was a Bonaparte's...with all due
> respect, my first thoughts were: you gotta be kidding me! I had never ever
> considered this gull as a Bonaparte's.
>
> What I saw:
> 1- This was a rather large gull, when a crow walked behind it the crow was
> about a heads height taller than the gull.
> 2- When a Killdeer walked in front of the gull it was dwarfted. I would
> consider the size comparasion similiar to a Rock Pigeon and a small warbler.
> 3- The overall jizz of the bird seemed wrong for a Bony.
> 4- The dark hood was not consistent with what I might have expected for a
> Bony. (to short coming up the back of the head)
> 5- The distance from the feet on the ground up to the body of the bird was
> greater i.e. the legs seemed a bit longer.
> 6- The bill seemed massive. On a Bonaparte's Gull I would have expected a
> small black pointed bird like bill. ( just from my prospective, I would
> suggest a bill comparasion between a downy and a Hairy Woodpecker. This
> bill was like a hairy's i.e. size only no correlation to shape intended.)
>
> What I didn't see was I never saw the bird fly so I never got a look at
> it's outstretched wings! AND the distance was a disadvantage (2,000 +
> feet) when viewed through my 20x60, 77mm Bausch & Lomb spotting scope.
>
> I hope no one takes offense. I am generally not someone who will state an
> opinion early. I tend to wait back until someone else makes a call
> and then I start to work back to form my own conclusions.
>
> Please, anyone who saw this gull come forward and state your opinions.
> I'd really like to know what you think...
>
> Jimmy Wilkerson
> Hixson, Hamilton co., TN
>
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