Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2011-13
| Common name: |
Lesser Black-backed Gull |
| Scientific name: | Larus fuscus |
| Date: | 18 February 2011 |
| Time: | 8:45-11:45 total |
| Length of time observed: | varying. shortest 5 min, longest 30 minutes |
| Number: | 4 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Farmington Bay WMA, Unit 1 |
| County: | [Davis] |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | nearest bird about 150 feet. Farthest approximately 1000 feet. |
| Optical equipment: | Swarovski 65mm, 25-45x eyepiece |
| Weather: | high over cast |
| Light Conditions: | fair to good |
| Description: Size of bird: | slightly larger than California Gull |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | long winged, mid sized gull |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | blackish backed, otherwise white |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | medium bulk (similar to Herring but slimmer) gull bill |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
(Photos of #2011-13A) - (Photos
of #2011-13B) - With photos was sent brief description [go through above links] Each bird was noted to have a blackish (or, actually, black appearing) back with white body and head. Head had moderate streaking, mostly on crown and nape. Some dusky side chest streaking seen on closer birds. On all birds, pale eye and yellow legs noted. All birds were compared directly with nearby Cal Gulls and were substantially darker backed (each observed long enough to discern that this was not a trick of light, especially on more distant 2 birds, where eye color was harder to be certain of). |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | |
| Habitat: | |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
The back color combined with size and leg color (and eye color) eliminates all other similar gulls occurring in North America. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I have seen several hundred Lesser Black-backed Gulls in eastern USA (a few in western) and in Europe |
| References consulted: | None |
| Description from: | From memory |
| Observer: | Steven Mlodinow |
| Observer's address: | 1522 Venice Lane, Longmont, CO 80503 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | SGMlod@aol.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 25 Feb 2011 |
| Additional material: | Photos 2011-13A and Photos 2011-13B |
| Additional_Comments: |