Betty LaRue Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 https://www.dropbox.com/s/egdsr8l5ucdoex0/Gull-1153.jpg?dl=0 While trying out my new 100-400 Fuji lens, I was attempting a few birds in flight. Really not paying attention to markings on the gulls. I caught this gull from behind, and normally I would just delete the image as not worthy of uploading. But a look at what's offered on Alamy shows very few images of a Gull's tail feathers this detailed from the top side, so I feel this image may, while not the best quality, be worthy of uploading. If nothing else, to add to the pictures of gull IDs on the Internet. Except I don't know the ID of the gull this tail belongs to! I've been going through every Gull picture I can find. Many of the descriptions don't mention whether the tail tips are black. Most often mentioned is undersides. I've looked hard at immature California gull, but not sure if that's it. Location, Lake Hefner, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, North America. Any of you have a particular gull to point me toward? I've looked on the Internet and my Sibley's "Guide to Birds". Betty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marianne Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 The link works. No clue without the bill and the legs though so sorry I can't help. Nice capture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share Posted March 14, 2016 It's a first late winter gull. Could it be a ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis)? Not at all sure, but it might lead you in the right direction. See here (fourth last picture) Cheers, Philippe] I think you are right, Philippe. These are the most common gulls seen around here. I've taken a few pictures of them in the past. It's a shame the bill doesn't show in my picture, but then I wouldn't have gotten such a good picture of the tail. Thanks again! You are so knowledgeable, and seem to be able to find pictures I can't locate. I need to hire you for my special researcher. But then...why would I do that when you do it for free? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share Posted March 14, 2016 Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
losdemas Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Terrible at ID-ing things myself, but the RSPB has a very good section of their Website for identifying UK birds. Note that I am posting this more for general reference, as I know that you are asking for an Okie bird and I know nothing of their holidaying preferences! The Gulls portal is here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey Towers Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 I think it's a Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). Due to the colourig on the tail feathers I suspect its an adolescent, as they loose that colouring after their first year. Regards Davey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanC Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 I think it's a Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). Due to the colourig on the tail feathers I suspect its an adolescent, as they loose that colouring after their first year. Regards Davey A Kittiwake in Oklahoma? Hardly likely. They're maritime gulls and rarely seen even at the coast this time of year. But I don't know much about American gulls so I can't really make any suggestions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey Towers Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Oops!! Sorry guys, didn't take location into consideration My fault! As my school reports always said...."Must pay more attention to detail"!! Regards, Davey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted March 16, 2016 Author Share Posted March 16, 2016 Oops!! Sorry guys, didn't take location into consideration My fault! As my school reports always said...."Must pay more attention to detail"!! Regards, Davey Don't feel bad, Davey. While researching, I searched "Oklahoma gulls" and came across photos of the Black-legged Kittiwake. Apparently some of these gulls wander through occasionally. All of the bird on that site were photographed in Oklahoma. I looked at that bird hard as a prospect. http://www.pbase.com/stevemetz/birds_of_oklahoma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnie5 Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 I'm pretty sure that's the bird who stole our bag of Doritos last time we were at the beach. He's a fugitive from justice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted March 16, 2016 Author Share Posted March 16, 2016 I'm pretty sure that's the bird who stole our bag of Doritos last time we were at the beach. He's a fugitive from justice. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted March 16, 2016 Author Share Posted March 16, 2016 I've studied pictures at great length. The Black-legged Kittiwake isn't it. It has wing tips so solid black they looked dunked in ink. I found a lot of flying pictures of the Ring-billed, and they match mine. Phillipe nailed it. As usual! Besides the fact I have two pictures of Ring-billed gulls showing the bill taken during the same shoot. I just didn't pay attention to this one flying, I was concentrating on seeing if I could get a BIF picture with the new lens. I need to be more observant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissie Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Are you 100% sure (not 99%)? If not it's an 'Immature gull in flight' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Are you 100% sure (not 99%)? If not it's an 'Immature gull in flight' There is a lot of specialist knowledge on the forum, it's why we ask. Philippe is the go-to man for botany and zoology. We're not giving a warranty anyway. Buyers can check for themselves if it's critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Evans Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Back in my Naval days we would have classified this as a Mk1 Sh**e hawk. But I'm not sure that is the correct scientific classification. I have actual just carried out a search on the term "Sh**e hawk" expecting to get 0 results, but one result came back, so maybe it is a classification of gull after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 Are you 100% sure (not 99%)? If not it's an 'Immature gull in flight' Now I'm 100% sure. There are not that many species of gulls in Oklahoma. At first I wasn't completely sure 'cause I'm dealing with unfamiliar terrain (didn't even know exactly where to find Oklahoma ). But after doing some further research you can narrow down the possible candidates 'till you're left with just one species. Fauna is a lot easier to identify than flora and especially a lot easier than fungi. Cheers, Philippe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 Are you 100% sure (not 99%)? If not it's an 'Immature gull in flight' Now I'm 100% sure. There are not that many species of gulls in Oklahoma. At first I wasn't completely sure 'cause I'm dealing with unfamiliar terrain (didn't even know exactly where to find Oklahoma ). But after doing some further research you can narrow down the possible candidates 'till you're left with just one species. Fauna is a lot easier to identify than flora and especially a lot easier than fungi. Cheers, Philippe Oklahoma is where it's at, Phillipe! As in, where it's going on, lol.You might ask where what is going on? Thunder basketball, Oklahoma Sooners, (otherwise known as Oklahoma University) friendliest people ever, site of terrorism (Oklahoma City bombing), red dirt, country music (Blake Shelton, Reba McIntyre, Carrie Underwood)....and me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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