LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
REPORT FORM
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1. English and Scientific
names: Iceland Gull Larus
glauciodes |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): 1 in first cycle plumage, sex not determinable |
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3. Locality: LOUISIANA: Plaquemines Parish; Venice |
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Specific Locality: across road from landfill on Coast Guard Road Latitude: 29° 15' 21" N Longitude: 89° 21' 45" W (29.2558, -89.3626) |
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4. Date(s) when observed: 03-17-2013 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: 12:30 |
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6.Reporting observer and address: Nancy L Newfield; Casa Colibrí, 3016 45th Street, Metairie, LA 70001 |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Kevin Morgan |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): Initially reported on LABIRD by Tom Johnson et al., later by Mary Mehaffey. |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): High overcast with lighting from directly above. |
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10. Optical equipment (type,
power, condition): Swarovski 10x42 EL in
excellent condition and Alpen 20-60x zoom in excellent
condition. |
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11. Distance to bird(s): initially about 50 yards, but then the bird moved to within about 30 feet. |
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12. Duration of observation: 20 minutes |
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13. Habitat: largely vacant, rock-paved parking lot near a landfill. |
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14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Resting and eating. The gull was part of a large, mixed-species flock loafing in the parking lot. It was not immediately evident until we began 'chumming' with hamburger buns and when Kevin first noted it, the Iceland Gull was far to the back of the flock, sometimes obscured by elements of the terrain of the parking lot or another gull. When we began tossing out the buns, the entire flock began to move toward us. The Iceland Gull strode purposefully forward, occasionally taking wing, but mostly walking. At its closest, it was within about 30 feet and it actually ate some of the food we had thrown. |
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15. Description (include only what was actually seen, not what "should" have been seen; include if possible: total length/relative size compared to other familiar species, body bulk, shape, proportions, bill, eye, leg, and plumage characteristics. Stress features that separate it from similar species): Once it became visible, the Iceland Gull stood out because it appeared to be all white. On second look, it was whitish with some pale brownish mottling/streaking on the wings. In size, it was larger than a Ring-billed Gull but smaller than a Herring Gull, with a somewhat more 'delicate' aspect. There was no visible black in the plumage, so the black bill with a pink base and the dark eyes stood out against the white head. The legs were pink. |
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16. Voice: not heard |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Size alone eliminates the essentially all white Ivory Gull. A first cycle Glaucous Gull is also essentially all white, but it is larger than a Herring Gull and its large, heavy bill is pinkish with well-defined black tip. |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? Attached?): Kevin Morgan made a number of images that he will submit himself. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: none |
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20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification): Our identification was greatly facilitated by seeing photographs of the bird online and by reading the online notes of the original discoverer and other observers. |
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a. at time of observation: National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America [5th edition] |
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b. after observation: National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America [5th edition], The Sibley Guide to Birds, and Gulls of the Americas. |
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21. This description is written from: ___x__ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached? See attached notes made by both of us jointly, written by Kevin Morgan) _____notes made after the observation (date:_____); __memory. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes |
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23. Signature of reporter: Nancy L Newfield Date: 06-22-2013 Time: 07:35 |
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24. May the LBRC have
permission to display this report or |
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If yes, may we include your name with the report? yes |
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