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Michael Todd | all galleries >> Birds: non-passerines >> Skuas, Gulls, Terns, Skimmers,Alcids >> Iceland Gull > Iceland-type Gull
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02/15/04 Michael Todd

Iceland-type Gull

When 1st seen Iceland was my inital feel, although I was somewhat hesitant with this as the bird was a little bigger and bigger-billed than I was expecting from my time studying photos, videos, etc. However, plumage seemed good for a kumlieni, and with the huge variation amongst gull sexes, my issues could easily be explained with this being a bigger, male bird, lacking the classic round head and very petite bill. Size-wise it was as big as the smaller Herring Gulls in the area, but clearly not as big as some, and appeared shorter-billed than any I could directly compare it to. The extremely pale overall look, almost unmarked concolorous tertials, and very nice primary pattern are all obvious.

It now seems that I may have discounted the possibility of a Thayer's/Iceland intergrade,as I think it within range of a "good" kumlienie. I think that Thayer's can be ruled out (but some with more experiecne disagree), but it may not be possible to positively rule out a intergrade between Thayer's and Iceland. It is very possible that this will wind-up being all that kumlien's winds up being regarded anyway, or possibly even with Thayer's and Iceland combined into one species.

Nikon Coolpix 4500 ,Pentax PF-80ED

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