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Fig 1) These two juveniles are siblings from the same nest. The parents were a Glaucous-winged Gull and an apparent hybrid Gl-W x Western Gull. The bird on the left looks like a typical hybrid, a kind of chocolate-flavored Glaucous-winged Gull. The bird on the right however, is dark enough to pass for a pure Western. August 1998. Seattle, Washington. Photo by John Chapman. |
Fig 2) Sometimes it's hard to tell whether the bird is Gl-W x Western, or Gl-W x Herring. The pale ground color and well-patterned coverts here suggest a Herring parent, but the large dark bill could mean Western. December 17, 2011. Davis, California. Photo by Steve Hampton. |
Fig 3) This bird has a classic sooty Western face. December 30, 2011. Davis, California. Photo by Steve Hampton. |
Fig 4) February 12, 2012. Sausalito, Calfornia. Photo by Steve Hampton. |
Fig 5) March 3, 2012. Davis, Calfornia. Photo by Steve Hampton. |
Fig 6) A fairly dark bird, appearing like a dark Glaucous-winged Gull with even darker primaries, or a Western Gull with a tail and primaries that are not black. Note the classic Western/Gl-W bill. This is a late winter bird with some adult gray in the scapulars. March 23, 2011. Clearlake, Calfornia. Photo by Steve Hampton. |
Fig 7) A late winter/first summer bird with very worn primaries molting into second winter. Notice the marbling on the fresh tertial tips, typical of second year plumages. Photo by Don DesJardin, 1998. |