There hasn't been any discussion of this bird on this forum, so here goes. There are a few features that eliminate Yellow-footed Gull from contention. Foremost is the mantle color, which is too pale for a Yellow-footed. Second is the foot color, which is pink. The Montezuma County bird is a good example of a WESTERN GULL in high breeding plumage. Western Gulls in this condition sometimes have yellow legs instead of pink. This happens with other pink-legged species, like Herring Gulls, and can lead to other misleading identifications. This same phenomenon was recently documented by Steve Mlodinow when he found a Western Gull at Prewitt Reservoir on 3/29/2012. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/36088296@N08/7043940401/in/photostream) Still a fantastic bird!
Christian Nunes Boulder, CO From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: [cobirds] Montezuma Gull - Not found Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:00:01 -0600 Hi All, Today I was not able to find the possible Yellow-footed Gull reported and photographed by Heather and Riley Morris on April 22 at Totten Reservoir near Cortez, Montezuma County. I visited almost all of the major lakes in the county and used multiple vantage points for McPhee without any luck. There was still a higher than normal number of gulls present at several locations, but species were limited to Franklin's, Ringed-billed, and a single California. Jim Beatty Durango -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
