Glaucous Gull(Larus hyperboreus)

This gull was discovered by Haven Wiley at Jordan Lake in the piedmont of NC on Sunday, 15 Feb 2004. When I relocated it on 17 Feb, it was not with any other gulls for size comparison, but it's been described as being the essentially same size as nearby Herring Gulls. Any comments about this bird's identity are welcome! You may email me directly at jeffpippen9@gmail.com or post them to carolinabirds@duke.edu. Enjoy!

6 photographs

Note (18 Feb 2004): It was just pointed out to me that in my haste to get these photos processed and online, I inadvertantly put the copyright date stamp as Feb 2003 when it should be Feb 2004! Sorry for any confusion.

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC 15 Feb 2004 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. — Glaucous Gull *(Larus hyperboreus)*Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC15 Feb 2004Identifying 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.

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC 15 Feb 2004 Adult Glaucous show no dark wingtip markings while Icelands often have a few dark wingtip marks. Glaucous also have broader wings than Icelands. — Glaucous Gull *(Larus hyperboreus)*Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC15 Feb 2004Adult Glaucous show no dark wingtip markings while Icelands often have a few dark wingtip marks. Glaucous also have broader wings than Icelands.

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC 15 Feb 2004 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. — Glaucous Gull *(Larus hyperboreus)*Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC15 Feb 2004On 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.

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC15 Feb 2004There's a Double-crested Cormorant in the back of this photo, possibly giving some size reference.

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC15 Feb 2004It's a bit difficult to tell, but I think the orbital ring in this photo is a rich golden yellow, which is another field mark for Glaucous Gull.

Created on ... February 17, 2004 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com