Western Gull - Larus occidentalis

Third-years

Western Gull, 3rd winter: Roberts Lake Park, Monterey, California, USA - 11th March 2007

As with the ages groups this birds bill is large and bulbous now with a large red Gonydeal spot appearing and still largely dark tip.The head looks strangely out of proportion with the bulk of the bird. The upper-parts are and dark slaty grey but are worn and there are still remnant brown tinged wing coverts. The legs are pale pink whilst the primary projection remains as in the younger ages, short.

Western Gull, 3rd winter: Salinas River Mouth, Monterey, California, USA - 24th November 2009

This is probably a third winter rather than a fourth winter due to the extensive dark tip to the bill, the brown wash to the coverts, the dark markings in the tertials and the small limited white tips to the primaries.

Of particular interest is the pale eye, unusual in most Western Gulls, and the 'hooded' affect.

Western Gull, 3rd winter: Morro Bay Rock, California, USA - 22nd November 2009

A typical individual, not the dark eye.

possible Western x Glaucous winged Gull hybrid, 3rd winter: Roberts Lake, Monterey, California, USA - 26th November 2009

The rather pale bluish-grey upper parts and the milky chocolate brown primaries elude to this bird being a hybrid.