[TN-Bird] Re: Possible Black-headed Gull
- From: Stczipperer@xxxxxxx
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2014 17:45:01 -0400 (EDT)
April 11, 2014
Parksville, Lake 64/30 picnic area
Polk County, TN
I drove over from Murfreesboro, TN to see the possible Black-headed Gull
yesterday after getting a phone call from Terry Whitt and directions from
David Chapman. Thanks to both. I arrived at 2:30 PM and observed the bird
for an hour. My first impression of the bird or "Gestalt" was not
Bonaparte's. For what it is worth here are my observations. Bird was the
only Gull
on the mud island. Blue-wing Teal, Killdeer, and a Common Grackle were also
observed. Bird appeared larger than Bonaparte's and much whiter or paler.
Legs were a deep red in color. Bill red and heavier than Bonaparte's.
Black on head stopped at the crown of the head on the back. From behind the
head and nape of neck going down to the top of back was pure white. No
evidence of black molting spots on feathers. Now for the dark primaries. The
two quick times the bird got up I was not able to see the black wedge in
the primaries but there was black there. I have look at quite a few pictures
of Black-headed gulls on-line and there are similar shots of this bird
showing the black in the primaries and not showing the black. "Peterson
Reference Guide to Seabirding" on page 444 states, "DIstant: Adults are
extremely pale, slightly paler than Bonapart's Gull, They have a white wedge
on the
wing like Bonaparte's but contrasts less and is not as translucent. The
dark patch on the underside of the primaries is still the best distinguishing
feature, but it is difficult to discern."
Well that's my two cents worth. There were three other birders present
when I arrived maybe they will chime in with their observations.
In summary the Gestalt of this bird was not Bonie. These birds are
numerous of Percy Priest Lake where I bird. The birds that were present over
the
last week were in classic winter plumage a few were in breeding plumage.
The black cap on these birds extends down further on the back of the bird
at Parksville Lake.
If nothing else I got to bird in a new county and pick up Yellow-throated
Warbler for the year and not sleep for about 48 hours.
Good birding
Stephen Zipperer
Rutherford Co., TN
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