Thayer's Gull (Larus thayeri)

Rare but regular winter visitor to North Carolina's Outer Banks, Thayer's Gulls can be difficult to distinguish from both Herring Gull and Iceland Gull.

Compared to Herring Gulls, Thayer's Gulls have dark eyes and show less black in the wingtips (primaries).

Herring Gulls (lower two birds) show much more black in the wingtips.

Leg color in Thayer's Gull may be a more intense pink than Herring Gulls.

We noted that the folded primaries were light brown, much lighter than all similarly plumaged Herring Gulls around. The eye is dark, and the head & bill seem rounded & slender enough. Comments welcome!

Possible 2nd winter Thayer's Gull (front right bird) in mixed flock with Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed and Lesser Black-backeds.