www.gull-research.org

I saw this gull (see attachment) in Rincon, Puerto Rico, on October 24th. I think is a Yellow-legged Gull. The photos are not good but I would like to be sure if this gull is not a Larus fuscus fuscus.

Thanks,
Sergio

In my humble opinion,at first glance here in Portugal I would identified it as a YLG.....probably not a very typical late October bird in this side of the Atlantic. Trans-Atlantic cruises departing from Spain, and passing Canary and Madeira Islands are a possible way of assisted transportation.

best regards,

Rui Caratão

To me, patterns of tertials, pattern and colour of wing-coverts, lack of grey scapulars, headshape and bill-shape all point to lbbg, not ylg.

Theo

Hello Theo,

I can see your point of view on lbbg, although the unfocused photo, are probably misleading me on colors and jizz. On the first photo the head & bill shape seem more like ylg, a lot of withe on head, breast and belly, dark eye mask... are fine also for ylg, or not?????
Unmoulted tertials, and wing coverts are not common but possible... I´ve seen some ylg this month, with juvenile tertials and coverts unmoulted.
Although, the long black primaries and dark band on greater coverts, points to lbbg........but can ylg be excluded

Rui

Unmoulted tertials?
I think its a 2cy not a juv....

Theo

ok...defenetly not good focused photos I was seeing 1 generation ylg coverts, instead of 2cy lbbg brownish feathers, like this one http://gull-research.org/lbbg2cyc/b14sept.htm

Rui