Thayers or Vega Gull in Hokkaido? (1 Viewer)

[HokkaidoStu]

I struggle a liitle bit with the large white headed gulls here in Japan.

This individual is from the end of December in Hokkaido, Japan.

I thought it was just a Vega Gull at first but looking at the short legs, thin bill and relatively pale mantle I' wasn't so sure. I was actually distracted by something else when I was photographing it and when my attention went back to the gull it had disappeard..............

Vega Gulls seem to vary enormously anyway..............but I was wondering if this a Thayers Gull?

I've seen Thayers before in the area (I've been able to get a firm ID several times).

Any opinions/comment greatly appreciated.

 

[lou salomon]

hi stu,

on jizz this looks perfect for an adult thayer's gull but to be on the safe side you'd need to see its primary pattern.

best,

 

[HokkaidoStu]

Thanks Lou, unfortunately this was the only view I had............

 

[smiths]

No real doubt about this one, even though there are no flight shots: it is a Thayer's Gull.

 

[tittletattler]

I struggle a liitle bit with the large white headed gulls here in Japan.

This individual is from the end of December in Hokkaido, Japan.

I thought it was just a Vega Gull at first but looking at the short legs, thin bill and relatively pale mantle I' wasn't so sure. I was actually distracted by something else when I was photographing it and when my attention went back to the gull it had disappeard..............

Vega Gulls seem to vary enormously anyway..............but I was wondering if this a Thayers Gull?

I've seen Thayers before in the area (I've been able to get a firm ID several times).

Any opinions/comment greatly appreciated.

If you are able, please post as many gull shots as possible to the gulls section on birdforum

 

[TLeukering]

Both Thayer's and Iceland usually have that ugly bluey-gray base to the bill that contrasts fairly strongly with the yellow nail in winter, while all the Herring-type gulls have the base of the bill virtually the same color as the nail. There are Smithsonian Herring Gulls with bill colors like this, but they're not at all common. Additionally, the bill looks too thin and parallel-sided to me to be a bill of one of the Herring-type gulls.

 

[HokkaidoStu]

Thanks for the comments, a nice semi-semi rarity here.......