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From: jhiggott@axion.bt.co.uk (jeff higgott)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: Help! Lesser Black-backed Gull.....
Message-ID: <1990Nov20.092524@axion.bt.co.uk>
Date: 20 Nov 90 09:25:24 GMT
References: <4295.2743f767@zeus.unomaha.edu>
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1st year Lesser Black-backed Gull:
Look for the following characters:
 . Slightly smaller than Herring (_smithsonianus_ Herring is a big bird, about
   the size of Glaucous) and more elegantly structured, with rounder head
   (Herring is more flat-crowned).
 . Lesser Black-back appears to have a more attenuated rear end when
   perched/swimming (due to relatively longer wings or primary projection
   beyond the tertials?).
 . Bill all dark, (paler based on Herring).
 . Wing pattern:
     Primaries uniformly dark (inner primaries paler on Herring)
     Secondaries uniformly dark; greater-coverts dark with paler tips
     Thus Lesser Balck-back shows a double inner wing bar on open wing.
     _smithsonianus_ Herring Gull shows paler greater coverts, and therefore
     doesn't display the obvious greater covert bar.
 . Lesser Black-back shows an obviously pale rump (darker barred in 
   _smithsonianus_)
 . Also shows blotchy dark underparts (relatively uniform in _smithsonianus_).
 . Shows coarse undertail barring (less obvious in _smithsonianus_).

Hope this is of help.  If not, mail me.


Note - these features apply to first winter birds, and are not all appropriate
for separating Lesser Black-back from the European subspecies of Herring.


* Jeff Higgott 
  - "Ask a stupid person and you'll get a stupid answer" - F&L