first cycle Glaucous-winged Gull

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first cycle Glaucous- winged Gull
	Fig 1) On most of these birds, note the nearly solid greater coverts and tertials and, of course, the folded primaries about the same color as the rest of the bird. The bill is typically large and described as "blob-ended", though some young birds have smaller bills. January, 1998, Santa Barbara, California. Photo courtesy of Don DesJardin.

Fig 2) Note also the fairly muddy scapulars and back and the irregular, not checkered, pattern on the lesser and median coverts. Like Western and Yellow-footed, Glaucous-winged Gulls usually stand with some of the secondaries exposed, as in this bird. Thayer's and other gulls rarely show this, though it is simply a function of posture and is thus variable. Photo courtesy of Don DesJardin.

Fig 3) The large bulky body and smallish rounded head are classic marks of Glaucous-winged Gulls. December 10, 2011. Davis, California. Photo courtesy of Steve Hampton.

Fig 4) A typical darker bird, fresh and early in the winter. Note the messy covert pattern. Nov 8, 2007. Stinson Beach, Calfornia. Photo courtesy of Steve Hampton.


Fig 5 and 6) This one has the classic large blob-ended bill. The spread wing and tail shot illustrates the rather uniform look. Note that the outer webs of the primaries are darker than the inner ones, as in Thayer's, but the contrast is minimal. Note also the solid tail. Thayer's, Herring, Glaucous, Iceland (and every large gull besides Western and Yellow-footed) will show at least some pale barring at the base of the outer retrices. Photo courtesy of Don DesJardin. For comparison of upper and underwing surfaces in flight, see these illustrations.


Fig 7 and 8) These photos show a darker bird and may indicate hybridization with Western (especially note the very heavy bill). Then again, it may be within natural variability. December and January, 2000. San Francisco Bay area, California. Photos courtesy of Mike Rogers.

Fig 9) Side by side with a Thayer's Gull. Besides the obvious structural differences, note the overall more washed-out coverts, while Thayer's retains a crisp juvenile pattern into February. February 25, 2011. Davis, California. Photo courtesy of Steve Hampton.


Fig 10 and 11) Quiz Bird #6. A pale bird, but possibly a hybrid with Glaucous Gull. See full discussion here. December 22. 1998. Santa Clara County, California. Photos courtesy of Mike Rogers.

faded
spring and
summer
Glaucous-winged
Gulls
Many would look at these white primaries and call these Glaucous or Iceland Gulls. On these birds, note the bill shape with its large gonydeal bulge. Glaucous have large bills too, but rather straight and not so blob-ended. Icelands have thin petite bills. Most importantly, note the spring dates on these birds.
Fig 12) This is a classic late season bird, as evidenced by the adult gray on the back. Glaucous Gulls should have a pale eye and lighter gray on the back. Also, the black on the bill comes in along the cutting edge more than usual for Glaucous. This bird was Quiz Gull #5, and a full discussion can be found there. May 4, 1998, Santa Barbara, California. Photo courtesy of Don DesJardin.

Fig 13) A typical faded bird late in the season. Notice the fresh adult gray scapulars. The bill is still solid black, which is not unusual even into second winter. March 23, 2011. Clearlake, Calfornia. Photo courtesy of Steve Hampton.

Fig 14) A typical "white" late first winter bird. This white plumage is not unusual. March 23, 2011. Clearlake, Calfornia. Photo courtesy of Steve Hampton.

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Fig 17) This ratty looking guy was found Sept 4, 2000 on a Monterey Bay pelagic trip. It is very worn first cycle, heading into second cycle. Note the large bill with a bulbous tip. It is not unusual for Glaucous-winged Gulls to keep all black bills into their second winter. Photo courtesy of John Sorensen.

Fig 18) The same bird as Fig 4. Note the very worn primaries, just about to be moulted. This general appearance with the dark and white bands on the wings is fairly typical for summer Glaucous-winged Gulls.