Christian, Thank you for the input on the Montezuma Gull. After scrutinizing more of the photos and looking at Steve Mlodinow's photos, Heather and I agree with you on the Western Gull ID. The pink feet are not nearly as apparent as on Steve's photo, but they are there. On a couple zoomed in photos I even think I see a little pink on the center portion of the legs. The mantle color has been mentioned by others as well as a problem for Yellow-footed Gull. I am planning on submitting a Western Gull sighting to the CRBC. Thank you also to all the others who offered input and especially to Brandon Percival for posting Heather's photos on his Flicker account.
Riley Morris Durango, CO ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christian Nunes" <[email protected]> To: "CObirds List" <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 5:14:01 PM Subject: RE: [cobirds] Montezuma Gull - Not found 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. -- 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.
