Hi Everyone,

I attached some comparison photos of the BHGUs at Paper Mill Area, starting with the Dec 2010 bird. Second is the bird that was discovered Feb 2011. I believe I sent an email out expressing that I felt this may be a different individual, as the bill and legs appeared more dull and almost yellowish. At the time I just wasn't sure if it was just a matter of molt, as the bird from Feb appeared to be showing very early signs of a breeding hood molting in. In reference photos I've seen, it looks to me that BHGU's bill is almost a dark burgundy in breeding-plumage, and a lighter red in non-breeding. I may be wrong though. Here are photos for comparison to anyone interested:

The bird I found 12 8 2010:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thrasher72/5244589535/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thrasher72/5244647646/in/photostream/

The bird Kye Jenkins found 02 16 2011:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thrasher72/5456741224/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thrasher72/5456131031/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thrasher72/5456740422/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thrasher72/5456740684/in/photostream/

The bird Russ Ruffing found 12 (not sure exact date) 2011:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thrasher72/6507452285/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thrasher72/6507577515/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thrasher72/6507577489/in/photostream

Also yesterday the RHWO was present at Robert E. Lee park in Baltimore. It was very enjoyable to meet Mike and Joy Bowen, Joan Cwi, and Kathy Calvert for the first time. Everyone got great looks at the bird. The bird was actively caching nuts in different holes along the trees on the water near the dog park, a great sign!!

Jon Corcoran
Catonsville, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bob Ringler
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 2:46 PM
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] BHGU photos

Fred,
   These are great photos and I believe they illustrate the plumage
variation which makes it a second-winter bird. I was using the second
edition of Gulls by Grant (1986) as my resource. Quoting from his section
on Black-headed Gull: "A few fail to acquire full adult plumage in their
second winter, showing dark markings, especially on the greater primary
coverts and alula, usually undetectable in the field. Obvious black lines
or fringes on the outer webs of the 2nd and 3rd primaries are probably an
indication of second-year plumage. Individuals with orange-yellow bill with
dark tip, and orange-flesh legs, may be confidently aged as second-years
which have yet to acquire the adult bare parts colour."
   This bird does not show the characteristics that make it obvious that it
is a second-winter bird but the marks are more subtle and certainly suggest
it.

On Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 7:30 PM, Fred Shaffer <>wrote:

> **
> Bob,
>
> I did get a few photos of the BHGU this afternoon, some of which seem to
> hint at black streaks on the outer web of the outer primaries.  And, like
> the bill, the legs also appear to be a somewhat washed out orangish-red,
> perhaps not as bright red as most adults would show.
>
> It is interesting that Howell and Dunn mention "black streaks on the outer
> webs of the outer primaries" (Gulls of the Americas, page 55) as an
> indication of a second-cycle or adult variation bird in the caption of
> Photo 2.10.  In the text they add that second cycle birds also "average
> more black on inner primaries and more often show fine black medial edging
> to the outer webs of P8-P9 and average paler, more orange-red legs" (Gulls
> of the Americas, page 308).
>
> Both Pyle and Howell say that 2nd cycle birds can also have blackish marks
> on the alula, primary coverts, and tertials; and Pyle says that 2nd cycle
> birds can have black distal markings on the rectrices (page 641); none of
> which I saw on the Hunt Valley gull.
>
> I'm sure others got better photos than these, but I hope that these are
> useful.  Let me know if you have any other insights on the age of the
> gull.  Thanks, Fred S.
>
>



-- 
Bob Ringler
Eldersburg MD

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