Thursday 24 April 2014

Kelp Gull

Kelp Gull

Larus dominicanus





This bird a near adult of the subspecies ssp. vetula was found at Ondarroa, Bizkaia on  2nd for Spain, and 1st for the mainland if accepted. The bird was found on April 22nd 2014 and it was filmed by Juan Carlos Andrés, see more photos on Juan's blog here .

2 comments:

  1. In my opinion it is not a kelp gull, but a greater black-backed gull, 4th winter. The uniform blackish grey back and wing coverts in combination with the ringed bill istypical as well as the bold white tips of the primaries, which are much bolder than in the kelp gull. In third winter the kelp gull might have a 'ring' to the bill, but it is also also grizzled grey on the white head and chest, and it has black color in the tail. The size is another clue. The bird in the video is much larger than the yellow-legged gulls around it.The kelp gull is only slightly larger.

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    1. Per Thanks for the explanation. In this blog you have more pictures and more information on this gull. Looking at the pictures, I would like to know your opinion.

      http://juankarandres.blogspot.com.es/2014/04/gaviota-cocinera-otra-megarareza-en.html

      Saludos Juankar.

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