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English and Scientific names: |
Sabine's Gull Xema
sabini |
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Number of individuals: |
one juvenile |
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Locality: |
Caddo |
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Specific Locality: |
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Date(s) when observed: |
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Time(s) of day when
observed: |
6:45 pm |
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Reporting observer and address: |
Charles Lyon Shreveport, LA |
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Other observers accompanying reporter who
also identified the bird(s): |
none |
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Other observers accompanying reporter who
independently identified the bird(s): |
none |
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Light
conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount
of light): |
sunset with low light
but good enough tomake an accurate id The bird was to the north of me
for most of the observation with the sun to the west |
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Optical equipment: |
10 by 42 EL Swarovskis |
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Distance to
bird(s): |
As close as 30 yards |
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Duration of
observation: |
10 minutes+ |
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Habitat: |
open water with a flock of Franklin's Gulls |
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Behavior of bird: |
I picked the bird up just prior to sunset when a group of 41 Franklin's Gulls came in from the east. As I was counting the Franklin's Gulls, I picked up the juvenile Sabine's Gull flying about. It briefly settled on the water but took off again as I approached in fading light. I followed it a few minutes longer in the boat,but after that I didn't try to chase it any longer . |
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Description: |
Slightly smaller and a bit more errratic in flight than the Franklin's gulls it was associating with,.The wings were less rounded than the Franklin's Gull, and the striking wing pattern was obvious. The outer primaries and coverts were black, with the inner primaries and secondaries showing a white triangle. The back and secondary coverts were brownish, as was the head and sides of the neck. The notched tail was black tipped. All of these colors and patterns were clearly seen, even in the fading light. |
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Voice: |
silent Some of the Franklin's Gull were
calling however. I've never heard a |
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Similar
species: |
See above. This is an id that you really can't confuse with anything else. |
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Photographs
or tape recordings obtained? |
I didn't get any video on this bird. I had my video camera with me, and I initially gave pursuit, but didn't get close enough for good video. I aborted the video mission with approaching darkness. I've got multiple video images of some of my past sightings. |
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Previous
experience with this species: |
extensive in multiple states,coasts, and even in England where it is quite rare. |
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Identification aids: |
At time of observation: none After observation: National Geo, Sibley |
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This description is written from: |
memory |
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Are
you positive of your identification? If not, explain: |
Yes |
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Reporter: |
Charles Lyon
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Date and time: |
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