Large Gull, ID help

[Turtlebird]

Hello,
I saw this large gull at Long Point marsh last weekend.  It was slowly circling around, not flapping once.  I thought it was some sort of hawk at first, it was almost as big as a red-tailed hawk.  I would think this is a Greater Black-backed Gull, but when I look those up that's not  quite it...could this be a juvenile stage of the Greater Black-Backed or something else??

[Iain]

Looks like a second winter bird.  Either Herring or Black-backed Gull.  Both are very large gulls that have similar characteristics.  Did you happen to see the topside of this bird, or better yet, get a photo of it?  

Iain

[Turtlebird]

I'm afraid not, only saw the underside before it drifted out of view.  
I am also having trouble deciding between herring and black-backed.  But I've seen many herring gulls, including adults, and none have seemed as large as this one was.  So it is possible for a young black-backed to show this colouration then?  The bill in particular is throwing me off...can black-backs have a bill like this or is theirs always solid black??

[Brian Bailey]

The bills of both Herring and Great Black-backed start out all black.  The amount of black diminishes as they age, so I think that bill looks consistent with a second winter bird of either species.  What I notice about GBB versus Herring is that they just look bigger & bulkier, and have a slower wingbeat.  From your description, it sounds like a Greater Black-backed.

I don't even attempt some of the trickier gull IDs, but separating immature Herring from Ring-billed from Greater Black-backed is usually pretty easy in the field.

BB

[Anonymous]

It's a 2nd winter Greater Black - backed Gull - easiest way to tell is the white rump just before the black stripe at the end of the tail.

Herring gulls generally have a darker lower body, unlike the one depicted below which has more of a salt and pepper tinge to it.

Attila

[Cody]

I saw one of these in Jordan last Saturday. I am almost positive it looked like this but you can check. I will post the pictures later tonight.

[cloaca]

i don't see the rump on this bird.

[Anonymous]

Sorry - white area just before the edge of the tail.

[Turtlebird]

Thanks everyone!!  Hope I get to see more of these this year.