CBBT Black-tailed Gull

odonnellj.ggd@gao.gov ()
˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙Date: ˙˙˙˙ 

        Another gull question: Does anyone know how often white-tipped 
     primaries show on wings of Black-tailed Gulls?  After looking at 
     our videotape of the gull, it seemed that the outer 4 or 5 
     primaries were tipped with white.  Harrison's Seabirds says that 
     only the last 2 or 3 are faintly tipped with white.  Not being a 
     gull expert, I don't know how much variation occurs in this 
     species, but I assume there would be some since other gulls can 
     show a lot.  I also thought that it might be due to feather wear.  
     Could this be true?  Also, is there a chance that this is the same 
     Black-tailed Gull that has been in the lower Chesapeake area the 
     past few winters?  Did the previous ones show the same 
     characteristics?
     
     Thanks.
     
     Matt O'Donnell
     mo'donne@lan.tjhsst.edu OR odonnellj.ggd@gao.gov