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I've now received numerous comments about this gull and the general consensus (though not unanimous) is that this is a Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus). Identifying Glaucous from Iceland Gulls (Larus glaucoides) can be problematic, but here are a few things to look for: Glaucous has a flatter head, "meaner" look, and a thicker and more substantial bill. Note that males are larger yet with blockier heads and longer bills, so this bird is likely a female Glaucous. |
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Adult Glaucous show no dark wingtip markings while Icelands often have a few dark wingtip marks. Glaucous also have broader wings than Icelands. |
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On Glaucous Gulls, the wingtips do not extend very far past the tail, as this bird shows here. On Iceland Gulls, the amount of wingtip extension beyond the tail is usually longer than the length of the bill. Also, as Mike Skakuj pointed out, wingtip extension is going to be exaggerated on a bird sitting in water more so than a bird standing on ground, due to the position of the wing. |
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