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Archive 2016 · Hardcore birders only!

dorian
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Hardcore birders only!

Veteran birders know the identification challenges that gulls present. Not only do most species have distinct plumage morphs for the first 3 or 4 years of their lives, but they frequently hybridize to generate yet more possibilities. While birding/shooting at the Salton Sea last weekend, I did my best to capture all possible variations of Ring-billed Gull, a fairly typical 3-cycle gull. I put the results together into this composite. Enjoy!

Ring-billed Gulls

Dec 26, 2016 at 11:52 PM

mogul
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Hardcore birders only!

You are a masochist.

Dec 27, 2016 at 01:21 AM

psharvic
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Hardcore birders only!

I gave up on Gull ID's. This is helpful. Thanks.

Dec 27, 2016 at 06:51 AM

viczig
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Hardcore birders only!

Nicely done, thanks.

Vic

Dec 27, 2016 at 07:17 AM

eyelaser
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Hardcore birders only!

Hard core indeed Dorian....but on the other hand....very well done.
Eric

Dec 27, 2016 at 07:38 AM

talfulano
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Hardcore birders only!

Nice illustration of their different plumages.

Dec 27, 2016 at 07:57 AM

surfnron
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Hardcore birders only!

Well documented Dorian ~ Ron

Dec 27, 2016 at 08:10 AM

vjs_intwo
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Hardcore birders only!

Yes, very well done. Gulls have never been a target for me, but here in the Maritimes we do have quite a few different kinds. Pretty neat to see this though, nice job

Dec 27, 2016 at 08:28 AM

morris
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Hardcore birders only!

Well done Dorian. Now show the same for a herring gull and watch the reaction

Have a happy new year,

Morris

Dec 27, 2016 at 09:03 AM

Christian H
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Hardcore birders only!

Okay, but when is a RBGU ever hard to ID? There is effectively no similar species in eastern North America.

Christian

Dec 27, 2016 at 09:20 AM

dorian
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Hardcore birders only!

Christian H wrote:
Okay, but when is a RBGU ever hard to ID? There is effectively no similar species in eastern North America.

Christian

True, but it was the only species that presented itself for such an analysis. I'd love to be able to do this for every North American gull species. As I've seen them all except for Ross's, I know exactly how challenging gull ID can get!

Dec 27, 2016 at 09:25 AM

steve_a_reno
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Hardcore birders only!

I'm sure it still gets miss ID'ed. This is an excellent diagram of the various plumage for the RBG showing both above and below the wings. This obviously took a good deal of time to create. I think this would be appreciated by many birders.

Dec 27, 2016 at 09:29 AM

Karl Witt
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Hardcore birders only!

Thanks Dorian, spotting the subtle differences even in these stills is not all that easy.

A nicely done display showing the morphs you mention and another piece of birding knowledge I gain as well as give more credit to your dedication and willingness to share with us, Thanks buddy!

Karl