Mew Gull

Yikes! Where's the Mew Gull!?




Click to enlarge.

Ok, so looking closely at these two photos, you can pick out the Mew Gull from the surrounding Ring-billed and Herring Gulls by its
slightly darker mantle color, its white scapular crescent and tertial crescent which strongly contrasts with the mantle,
and if you look carefull enough, its brown-smudged nape which differs from the black/grey flecked heads of the ring-billed gulls.
Unfortunately, my camera ran out of batteries when the bird finally woke up to show off its dainty, all yellow bill and large dark eye, and primary pattern!!!
Pueblo Reservoir S. Marina, January 18th, 2006.

Here's another horrible photo of an adult Mew Gull (back) - seen 14 January, 2007
at the Sailboard Launch area on the north east shore of Pueblo Reservoir.


I should note that this picture was taken through a thick fog and was
later adjusted for brightness and contrast. Compare the bill structure
to the Mew Gull in the photos below. You can also barely see that this
bird had a more extensive brown wash to the head and neck (giving it a
hooded look under better viewing conditions) than the bird pictured below.



One of two Mew Gulls at Pueblo Reservoir.
Left: Mew gull,   Right: a young Ring-billed Gull.   Winter 1999-2000.


The same bird as above, this time with a California Gull and more Ring-billed Gulls in the background.


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All Photos (C) 1999 Paul Hurtado
(Please let me know if you use them.)