| Author | Content |
rntx22
Deer Park, TX
(Zone 9a)
July 24, 2008
4:45 PM Post #5313781
| We have tons of laughing gulls here but it is hard to ID their many different forms. I think this one is a 1st or 2nd year... but not sure how to tell which one it is. Any help?? And I invite others to post pictures of gulls (or other shorebirds - terns, skimmers, etc) in their area - I love them!
Edited to add - I just love the poop running down the pole he's sitting on
This message was edited Jul 24, 2008 3:48 PM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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rntx22
Deer Park, TX
(Zone 9a)
July 24, 2008
4:46 PM Post #5313783
| Here's another view 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Resin
Northumberland
(United Kingdom)
(Zone 9a)
July 24, 2008
5:23 PM Post #5313953
| That one's a first-summer moulting to second-winter (i.e., just over a year old, probably about 14-15 months, hatched spring last year).
Resin
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rntx22
Deer Park, TX
(Zone 9a)
July 24, 2008
5:43 PM Post #5314038
| Oh my lord how confusing these birds are!! I don't know how you do it... thanks! |
Resin
Northumberland
(United Kingdom)
(Zone 9a)
July 24, 2008
6:59 PM Post #5314456
| Not that difficult! The grey feathers on the mantle are clean and fresh, newly grown, whereas the primaries are brown (faded) and very worn, so are still immature feathers not yet moulted. There are also still some black feathers in the tail, also a sign of a young gull.
Resin
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rntx22
Deer Park, TX
(Zone 9a)
July 24, 2008
7:27 PM Post #5314600
| Cool, I thought the brown I was seeing was just an illusion created by the setting sun... I was also getting confused because some guides refer to them as 1st WINTER 2nd WINTER (instead of 1st YEAR etc). And it's not winter yet! Makes sense now that it is molting it's 1st winter plumage on the way to it's 2nd winter plumage. |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
July 24, 2008
8:29 PM Post #5314919
| That first picture looks like a fake bird! |
nanbernier
St. Robert, MO
(Zone 5b)
July 24, 2008
8:47 PM Post #5315022
| I've bought that same bird, so you are right Mrs. Ed, it does look fake. ;-) |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
July 24, 2008
9:37 PM Post #5315404
| LOL NAN! |
OPbirder
Orchard Park, NY
July 24, 2008
9:59 PM Post #5315538
| Oh Mrs. Ed. that cannot be a fake bird. Look at the background! This is a fake bird. You can tell by the dust on its feet (and the background). LOL 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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rntx22
Deer Park, TX
(Zone 9a)
July 25, 2008
2:34 AM Post #5316533
| LOL he does look fake now that you say it |
Resin
Northumberland
(United Kingdom)
(Zone 9a)
July 25, 2008
4:39 AM Post #5316624
|
| Quoted: | | I was also getting confused because some guides refer to them as 1st WINTER 2nd WINTER (instead of 1st YEAR etc). And it's not winter yet! |
True the terminology is slightly confusing, 'spring' and 'autumn' would be a bit more correct. Gulls moult twice a year, a full post-breeding moult about now when all the feathers are regrown (summer plumage to winter plumage), and a partial pre-breeding moult (head & body feathers only, not the large flight feathers or tail feathers) in early spring (February-March).
There are a couple of exceptions; Sabine's Gull has its full moult in early spring instead of now, and Franklin's Gull has two full moults instead of one full and one partial.
For gulls that breed in the Southern Hemisphere, timings are 6 months different, to fit the year there.
Oh, and plastic eagles don't moult at all, ever. But they may melt if they get too hot ;-)
Resin
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OPbirder
Orchard Park, NY
July 25, 2008
1:27 PM Post #5318376
| Touche! |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
July 25, 2008
2:21 PM Post #5318573
| OP, particularly like the cobweb in the beak!
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rntx22
Deer Park, TX
(Zone 9a)
July 25, 2008
4:16 PM Post #5319031
| ROTFLMAO
You are like a walking encyclopedia Resin. Have you seen the proposition for a birdfiles? They were looking for a bird expert to help - I think you fit the bill (or beak...) |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
July 25, 2008
5:44 PM Post #5319397
| Well of course WE all know that rntx22! A guru I tell you!!!
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OPbirder
Orchard Park, NY
July 28, 2008
7:52 PM Post #5334815
| I would be first in line for an online course in bird identification with Resin facilitating.
Oh shoot, the dusty beak gave it away, Marna? |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
July 28, 2008
8:32 PM Post #5335047
| Yah, until i saw the cobweb, I was fooled!!! |
