Nikolas Haass <> said today
To: "Tony Russell" <>; "Mike Carter"
<>; "BIRDING-AUS" <>
Although I was the first one who dared to ID the bird as a female
first-winter Slaty-backed Gull (see old posting below), I still would NOT
say that we 'SETTLED' on a definite ID.
We clearly ruled out Thayer's Gull, American Herring Gull (see below), the
fuscus complex including Heuglin's Gull (heuglini and taimyrensis),
Eurasian Herring Gull, and most of the "yellow-legged gull complex".
Moreover, as I indicated a week ago, tail and primary patterns speak
against Mongolian and Steppe Gull.
And also Vega doesn't fit 100%. But - although it was my favorite - does
Slaty-back fit 100%? No, it looks good for a Slaty-back, but apparently
not 100%! Look at all the divergent comments from experts from all over
the world! I think, the final ID at this point should be "possible
Slaty-back".
Nikolas
So although you named it several days ago, you are still not 100% convinced?
Please tell us what you consider unsatisfactory in that ID.
Jeff Davies and I will prepare the BARC submission and we are confident that
we can totally justify that diagnosis. Among significant aspects that you
didn't address were the plain dark underwing pattern and short primary
projection beyond tail. Once those two features fell into place for
Slaty-backed ruling out Vega Gull the one remaining stumbling block was the
scapular pattern which was more typical of Vega Gull. But now we know some
Slaty-backs can be similarly patterned there are no contra-indications. The
presence of that second generation secondary feather noted by Alvaro was a
bonus. All discriminators are in favour of Slaty-backed Gull. QED.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
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