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Project Noah Nature School
Larus delawarensis
L. 49 cm (17.5") A fairly small white-headed gull, with gray back, thick bill, very narrow white crescents on back, a few white primary tips showing when standing, and pale yellow eye. Juveniles have contrasting white belly, pale rump with black tail band, and black primaries.
In breeding season found in Canada and the northern United States. Winters south to Mexico. Rare but regular vagrant to the UK with records annually. Accidental to France, Germany, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Hungary, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Morocco, South Africa, and Japan. This individual was located on an Atlatic Ocean seashore in Ocean Ridge, Florida at the Boynton Inlet.
This was a beautiful soaring gull. The day at the shore was very windy. I located myself on the jetty where there was a constant updraft andf felt that by staying at this location, next to the fisherman, I would be able to get some unique flight and hovering shots.
Yeah i'm not 100% with American birds, being from Australia. But i would trust liam anyday :)
Thank you both @ AliceGreenup and @Liam. I have to agree that Liam is right based on the descriptions and the leg color. Also the eyes are more indicative of the Ring billed.
Herring are wider-winged and larger-headed with pink legs. Good suggestion, though.
Spotted on Feb 22, 2013
Submitted on Feb 27, 2013
