Glaucous vs Iceland (1 Viewer)

G

Gander

Well-known member

• Dec 28, 2016

• #1

I had my first Glaucous yesterday, but this bird seems to have a shorter beak and the forehead is not as flat. Could it be Iceland Gull?

Also, whichever gull, I'd be interested in whether 2nd or 3rd Winter if possible.

 

Attachments

• 
  White Gull resize.jpg

  473.6 KB · Views: 298
• 
  White Gull 2 resize.jpg

  468.9 KB · Views: 286

K

KGS

Well-known member

• Dec 28, 2016

• #2

2nd cy Glaucous

 

P

paul Robinson

Well-known member

• Dec 28, 2016

• #3

Are the primaries a bit long and the head a bit too rounded (with steep looking forehead) for Glaucous?
Paul

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Dec 28, 2016

• #4

paul Robinson said:

Are the primaries a bit long and the head a bit too rounded (with steep looking forehead) for Glaucous?
Paul

Click to expand...

Dainty little bill, too - I'm also tempted to go for Iceland, though it's a big dare to go against KGS ...

 

A

aeshna5

Well-known member

• Dec 28, 2016

• #5

I thought Iceland too.

 

ovenbird43

Well-known member

• Dec 28, 2016

• #6

Smallish bill and the faint dark face pattern fit Iceland better, but I'm on the fence - I could be talked into Glaucous on the small end of bill size variation. If Iceland, then likely 2cy based on bill color.

 

G

Gander

Well-known member

• Dec 30, 2016

• #7

Iceland Comparison

Managed to get a photo of a bird I'm positive is an Iceland Gull. Photo taken at same location. When I compare it with the original subject bird, it shows me the original was indeed a Glaucous.

Also, I hadn't realised that there was such a size difference between the two species. Original bird was definitly much bigger than a Herring Gull, where as you will see in the photos below that this bird is somewhat smaller.

Please correct me if I'm wrong in any of this.

 

Attachments

• 
  Iceland Gull resize.jpg

  417.3 KB · Views: 99
• 
  Iceland Gull 2 resize.jpg

  394.6 KB · Views: 139
• 
  Herr Gull Comparison resize.jpg

  398.8 KB · Views: 140

Richard Prior

Halfway up an Alp

• Dec 30, 2016

• #8

Good work, confirms what we discussed on your North Sea thread the other day, my reputation is (partly) restored

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Dec 30, 2016

• #9

OB has to be a 2cy female type glaucous, on shortish wings alone.
2nd is an iceland as you suggested.

 

Birdbrain22

Well-known member

• Dec 30, 2016

• #10

I agree, Glaucous Gull and then Iceland Gull.

 

G

Gander

Well-known member

• Dec 30, 2016

• #11

Thanks guys. :t:

 

S

smiths

Well-known member

• Jan 1, 2017

• #12

The bird in post #1 is an Iceland Gull, probably 3rd winter.
It is a difficult angle to judge the wing projection but it looks rather long to me, longer than the bill.
In any case, the bill is clearly short and the head shape also looks much better for Iceland.

 

jogresh

Bimble and patch

• Jan 7, 2017

• #13

I'm enjoying the learning curve on the various pics of white-wingers from above. So the consensus on the original bird is Glaucous? Due to the structure of the folded primaries? Thick based and tapering rather than narrow and pointy?

 

S

SteveClifton

Well-known member

• Jan 7, 2017

• #14

jogresh said:

So the consensus on the original bird is Glaucous?

Click to expand...

From what I've read there is certainly no consensus yet, and given the awkward viewing angle of the original bird in post #1 it's not likely to happen either.

When 2 or 3 very knowledgeable gullers can't agree, it's either due to a very tricky individual, or in this case the pictures aren't helping. If they were taken side-on I think this would have been far easier to reach a consensus.

At least I think we all can agree that the bird in post #7 is an Iceland Gull:smoke:

 

Last edited: Jan 7, 2017

Richard Prior

Halfway up an Alp

• Jan 7, 2017

• #15

Yes indeedy!