Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2017-22
| Common name: |
Little Gull |
| Scientific name: | Hydrocoloeus minutus |
| Date: | 10/22/13 |
| Time: | 2:45pm |
| Length of time observed: | 10 min |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Juvenile |
| Sex: | n/a |
| Location: | Farmington Bay WMA |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | 40.955141,-111.9191396 |
| Elevation: | 4200' |
| Distance to bird: | 25-50 yards |
| Optical equipment: | Pentax ED 8x43, Canon 60D camera with 55-250mm zoom lens |
| Weather: | Sunny and cool |
| Light Conditions: | Clear |
| Description: Size of bird: | Similar to a Rock Pigeon |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Gull |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Black and white |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Dainty and straight |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Juvenile bird going through first prebasic molt. Dark cap with mostly dark wings
and on some upperparts showing some newly molted gray feathers on the back and
scapulars giving the upperparts a mottled appearance. Bold M on wings when in
flight plus dark secondaries. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None. |
| Behavior: | Feeding in the water as well as flying around. |
| Habitat: | Freshwater. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Only 4 other juvenile gull species will show a black M when in flight: M in juvenile Bonaparte's is narrower and the secondaries aren't as boldy marked as a Little Gull and the trailing edge of the wing is all dark in juvenile Bonaparte's The underneath of the primaries on juvenile Black-headed Gull are dark as well as the upper primaries having more extensive white. Juvenile Ross's Gull doesn't have black on the top of the head. Juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake has a bold black collar and more extensive white on the upperwing. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Have seen about half a dozen back in NY. |
| References consulted: | Sibley's 2nd edition. Gulls of North America. |
| Description from: | Notes taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Kenny Frisch |
| Observer's address: | Holladay, UT 84117 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Shyloh Robinson, Matt Pendleton, Mike Hearell. |
| Date prepared: | 4/5/17 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | I just realized that this record never made the UBRC so I am remedying that now. |