Northern Fulmar ? (1 Viewer)

[Eos9]

On a recent trip to Monterey Bay (California) I observed several dark sea birds that resembled Fulmars. Although at a distance they resembled Sooty Shearwaters, closer views seemed to suggest these might be Dark Phase Northern Fulmars. Not being familiar with this dark phase I would appreciate confirmation (or otherwise) that the bird photographed is indeed a Dark Phase Northern Fulmar.

Many Thanks

 

[Andy Adcock]

If it's a Fulmar, this 'form', is called 'Double blue' I think?

I saw one in Nottingham once.



A

 

[aeshna5]

Looks like a so-called "blue" Fulmar to me.

 

[Nutcracker]

Yep, dark phase Pacific subspecies (F. g. rodgersii) Northern Fulmar. Considered a potential future split by some.

 

[Andy Adcock]

Yep, dark phase Pacific subspecies (F. g. rodgersii) Northern Fulmar. Considered a potential future split by some.

Form Nutty form!!!!!!!

There is the blue form obviously but I seem to remember that there's an even darker form they call 'double blue' or am I mis-remembering?



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[Mark Lew1s]

I think the name you’re looking for is double dark.

 

[Nutcracker]

Form Nutty form!!!!!!!

Ooops! Yeah, well, morph, actually!

I think the name you’re looking for is double dark.

Not sure - I suspect 'double dark' is only properly applied to variation within the Atlantic subspecies? I know 'double darks' get reported around Svalbard and similar. The Pacific subspecies have a different set of pale & dark morphs, with different (plainer, less mottled) wing patterns.

 

[Andy Adcock]

I think the name you’re looking for is double dark.

That's probably it then, as I said, the bird that turned up in fog at Colwick Park Lake in Nottingham in the 90's, was a very dark bird and said to be this.


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[Andy Adcock]

Ooops! Yeah, well, morph, actually!

Not sure - I suspect 'double dark' is only properly applied to variation within the Atlantic subspecies? I know 'double darks' get reported around Svalbard and similar. The Pacific subspecies have a different set of pale & dark morphs, with different (plainer, less mottled) wing patterns.

Form or morph are both ok, phase is not, grrrrrrrrr.

I think you're right about the 'double dark', probably correctly applied to the Atlantic form.



A

 

[Mark Lew1s]

Ooops! Yeah, well, morph, actually!



Not sure - I suspect 'double dark' is only properly applied to variation within the Atlantic subspecies? I know 'double darks' get reported around Svalbard and similar. The Pacific subspecies have a different set of pale & dark morphs, with different (plainer, less mottled) wing patterns.

Yes - double dark applies to the darkest phase Atlantic birds. Regardless of where the bird was photographed, it's the phrase that Andy was looking for...

 

[Andy Adcock]

Yes - double dark applies to the darkest phase Atlantic birds. Regardless of where the bird was photographed, it's the phrase that Andy was looking for...

Are you winding me up Paul!!!! :t:



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[Nutcracker]

Are you winding me up Paul!!!! :t:

A

Must be going through a phase of it . . . 3