Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Southern Ontario Reports => Topic started by: thouc on July 29, 2017, 11:27:19 PM

Title: Juvenile Bonaparte's Gull
Post by: thouc on July 29, 2017, 11:27:19 PM

I saw a juvenile Bonaparte's Gull still with a lot of brown in its plumage at Earl Rowe Provincial Park near Alliston. I don't think I've seen a juvenile before, how unusual are they in Southern Ontario?

/Thomas

Title: Re: Juvenile Bonaparte's Gull
Post by: Reuven_M on July 30, 2017, 09:35:08 PM

They only retain this plumage for a very short time. So only the very first returning first year birds will show this plumage. I saw 2 at Presquile yesterday, but I certainly don't see them very often.

Title: Re: Juvenile Bonaparte's Gull
Post by: Dinusaur on July 30, 2017, 10:49:13 PM

Here's one photo that I took last year in early August in Nonquon Sewage Lagoon, Port Perry - there are two birds with a bit of brown plumage. Are they first year juveniles? That place gets a lot of Bonaparte's Gull.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4327/36236992216_4b65e4374e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Xd94iS)

Title: Re: Juvenile Bonaparte's Gull
Post by: thouc on July 30, 2017, 11:39:38 PM

Yeah, they are first year birds transitioning from juvenile to first winter plumage.