Variation in Kumlien's Iceland Gulls - Page 1 of 3

Bluffers Park in Toronto

About 21 Kumlien's Iceland Gulls are at Bluffers Park in Toronto, making it an excellent spot to study them. Each is different. They are close to shore on the ice in the park's small harbour on Lake Ontario at the south end of Brimley Road. Here are photos of 21. These are my favourite winter gulls.

Highly variable in appearance, most Iceland Gulls in Ontario are Kumlien's Iceland Gulls. Many authorities believe Kumlien's originated as a hybrid population between Thayer's Gull and pure Iceland Gull, which accounts for this variability.

Scroll down for 6 photos of 6 different adults in winter plumage. Then go to page 2 and 3 for third, second and first winter birds.

1. Adult Kumlien's Iceland Gull in winter plumage with very dark grey wingtips. The head shape/size and bill size are typical of Kumlien's. We also labeled it a Kumlien's because many birds in Newfoundland are very similar to it but are not considered Thayer's. Bluffers Park on 30 January 2011. Revised 3 February 2011.

2. Adult Kumlien's Iceland Gull in winter plumage. Similar dark wingtip pattern to first bird, but has different bill pattern and head streaking. This individual approaches Thayer's Gull in appearance. The head shape and bill size are more suggestive of Thayer's. We don't have photos of the spread wing. It probably would be called a Thayer's in California and a Kumlien's in Newfoundland. Thayer's Gull cannot be ruled out. Bluffers Park on 30 January 2011. Revised 3 February 2011.

3. Adult Kumlien's Iceland Gull in winter plumage with pale grey pigmentation in the primaries and heavy head streaking. Bluffers Park on 25 January 2011.

4. Adult Kumlien's Iceland Gull in winter plumage with small amount of grey pigmentation in the primaries and light head streaking. Bluffers Park on 25 January 2011

5. Adult Kumlien's Iceland Gull in winter plumage with small amount of grey pigmentation in the primaries, light head streaking and some marks on the bill. Bluffers Park on 29 January 2011

6. Adult Kumlien's Iceland Gull in winter plumage with medium dark grey pigmentation in the primaries, some head and neck streaking, light eyes, and marks on the bill. Bluffers Park on 31 January 2011.

Now go to Page 2