fneil 4/03/2008 19:56
Relic Gull -breeding plumage ?
I was surprised to see this gull in breeding color today. Is it a Relic Gull?
Neil
Mai Po Nature Reserve,
Hong Kong,
China.
04/02/08
Nikon D3 plus Nikon 300/f4 AFS lens
[img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2062/2310142190_53c1fd56ac_o.jpg[/img]
gary 4/03/2008 20:14
Neil,
The small gulls are changing to breeding plumage at the season.
And I think it's a Black-headed Gull, due its bill shape.
Gary
ajohn 6/03/2008 15:15
The wing pattern (mostly white outer primaries, black on most of the other primaries) and chocolate-brown hood indicate this is a Black-headed gull (in fact, it is other gull species that get truly black heads in breeding plumage!)
As Gary mentions, many of the gulls are now reaching breeding plumage - it's also obvious among Saunder's Gulls at this time of year.