Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: jandb on October 07, 2016, 09:42:31 PM

Title: Greater or Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Post by: jandb on October 07, 2016, 09:42:31 PM

Hello -

We're in Cochrane, Northern Ontario.  We saw this gull today that looked about the same size as the surrounding Herring Gulls.  Couldn't see the legs/feet, couldn't really distinguish stout/slender bill, tail feathers looked close in colour to primaries, so we were leaning GBBG but would appreciate input.  Thanks so much.

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Title: Re: Greater or Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Post by: thouc on October 07, 2016, 10:29:14 PM

I would say Lesser based on overall size (comparable to Herring), bill size (not the huge bill of GBBG) and mantle colour (not quite as black as GBBG)

/Thomas

Title: Re: Greater or Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Post by: jandb on October 09, 2016, 07:43:12 AM

Thanks!  Ironically, I spotted a GBBG the day after and it seemed to dwarf the Herring Gulls, not like this bird.