First Year California Gull at Tip of Point Pelee

The centre dark gull was at the Tip of Point Pelee on 18 May 2012. It was smaller than the neighbouring Herring Gulls. It is a first year - year old California Gull. I thank Ron Pittaway, Kevin McLaughlin and Michel Gosselin for confirming the identification.

It was larger than Ring-billed Gulls. It has a sharply demarked bicolour bill. Its legs had a bluish tinge.

It had new greyish scapular feathers. It was long-winged.

The bird is in wing molt. These are the old retained primaries.

Please click: There are similar individuals in this video of California Gulls taken in California by Alvaro Jaramillo on 13 May 2012