Re: Immature Gull Identification

[Allan Burbidge <>]

I had a brief look at the yellow-billed gull at Lake Monger, Perth, today.
Unfortunately i didn't see it flying (it seems only to fly when one is
looking for the camera, or changing lenses, etc!).
However, it seemed to me to be an immature Silver Gull with low amounts of
pigment in the bill and legs. Back colour was the same as nearby Silver
Gulls, as was size, shape and proportions (including bill shape).
As David James pointed out, bill and leg colour vary tremendously. Although
most gulls there today had black to blackish-red bills, some were paler and
at least one other had a dull yellow bill with some blackish smudging, but
without the black tip. 
Cheers,
Allan
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