This first-basic Thayer's Gull
Larus thayeri was photographed by Michael Donahue
at Tukwila, Washington in mid-December 1998 (with a first-basic
Glaucous-winged Gull L. glaucescens behind and left). I
feel that this bird shows some signs of intergradation with kumlieni;
note the paler head (mid-December is a bit early for this to appear
in thayeri), large number of pale-based mantle/scaps (it
would be very early for these to be replacement thayeri
first-basic feathers, and may be juvenile kumlieni-type
juv. feathers), apparent extensive barring in the upper tertial,
signs of mottling in the tail, and paler-than-usual base color
to the primaries; also the bill seems to have more of a gonydal
angle and pale in the base than is normal for a mid-December thayeri
- I'd appreciate hearing any comments
about this individual:
