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Herring sized gull. Plugged into the Merlin Bird ID and it Identified as a Thayers, but ebird shows as rarity. I'm terrible at gull ID, so I'm looking for verification before I put on ebird.
Harbor, Mouth of river on Lake Michigan
Spotted on Dec 23, 2016
Submitted on Dec 27, 2016
4 Comments
Yes, the bird in question was centered in the foreground. I guess I should have clarified that. Those markings you described are my reasoning for thinking it's a Thayer's. My understanding with the back is that color can vary, also the overcast does make it darker. From the research I have done, the wing tips are the most important marker on a Thayer's gull, and I feel like they are too dark, though they do look different than the herring wing tips. Unfortunately I did not notice this bird in the field, just seen in my pictures once home, so I don't have another look at it.
I'm assuming the bird in question is the one at center in the foreground, correct? If so, then I do believe it is an adult nonbreeding Thayer's. The extensive streaking around the neck and head combined with the 'softer' head shape and smallish bill are indicative of this species. I don't think the wing or back is too dark. I believe the overcast conditions in which the photo was taken intensified the color. Since I am not a gull expert, please wait for other comments before making your decision.
But then I don't know my gulls enough
They seem dark on the wings and wing tips.