Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2021-42
| Common name: |
Laughing Gull |
| Scientific name: | Leucophaeus atricilla |
| Date: | June 16, 2021 |
| Time: | 9:34 AM |
| Length of time observed: | more than one hour |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | unknown |
| Location: | Recapture Reservoir |
| County: | San Juan |
| Latilong: | 37.666224, -109.439635 |
| Elevation: | approx. 6100' asl |
| Distance to bird: | 150 yards |
| Optical equipment: | Vortex Razor 65mm scope, Zeiss Victory SF 10x42, Leica 10x42 BN |
| Weather: | Clear and hot, some light breeze |
| Light Conditions: | excellent light, although some views show the bird in its own shadow |
| Description: Size of bird: | medium gull size, larger than Bonaparte's but smaller than Ring-billed |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | gull, upright posture while floating on water surface |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | charcoal back and wings, black hood, white underparts, white neck (front, sides, and back of neck), black wing tips |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | sturdy straight bill with a slightly drooped end |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Here are the notes I included in my eBird report: "Meduim-sized gull with dark charcoal mantle, black(ish) head, sturdy, long bill. At first I assumed it would be a Franklin's, even though that is out of season, but the extra long bill made me keep looking. The eye crescents are bold like Franklin's, but also similar to many LAGU specimens. There seems to be no bold white demarcation between the dark wings and wing tips. White spots on the wing tips also are missing. These details lead me (us) to the conclusion of Laughing Gull." The bill was dark red, but the red is not evident in every photo. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None |
| Behavior: | Floating on the water's surface. It was not observed in flight. |
| Habitat: | Open water of a freshwater reservoir |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Franklin's Gull is the more expected species in this location, but a Franklin's should show extensive white spots in the wing tips, a broader white border between the dark mantle and black wing tips on a sitting bird, and a smaller bill (both in length and thickness). |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Decades of regular experience with Laughing Gull in 13 eastern US states. Sporadic occasional experience with Franklin's Gull in Kansas, Colorado, and Montana. |
| References consulted: | Sibley eGuide, National Geographic field guide, iBird Pro. Later, for followup comparison, I consulted Harrison's Seabirds volume. |
| Description from: |
Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Steve Patterson |
| Observer's address: | 115 Lyndhurst Dr., Anderson, SC 29621 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Debra Patterson |
| Date prepared: | July 14, 2021 |
| Additional material: | Photos video (which shows the same view as photos) |
| Additional comments: | How may I add photos? |