YLG in Rincon, Puerto Rico

[sergiocolon]

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

[Rui_Caratão]

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

[Theo Muusse]

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

[Rui_Caratão]

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

[Theo Muusse]

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

Theo

[Rui_Caratão]

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