first cycle Glaucous-winged x Western Gull

first cycle
Glaucous-winged x Western Gull

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.

These birds have primaries that might be a shade too dark for pure Glaucous-winged.

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.

See illustrations of first year wing patterns with comparison w/ similar species.