Re: [Maine-birds] Lubec gull ID

This looks like the rare Black-bellied Plover-Gull, but it's really just a juvenile American Herring Gull like the bird next to it. Your bird may be starting head molt, but the scapulars and wing coverts are all Juvenal plumage exactly like the fresher bird next to it. The bill is starting to get pale towards the base, which is typical. It's hard to tell if the blackness is staining or oil or some other problem, but both birds are the same species and age.

Louis

Fairfield

On Saturday, September 8, 2012, Barry wrote:
this gull:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/21615434@N02/

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