Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2025-06
| Common name: |
Black-headed Gull |
| Scientific name: | [Chroicocephalus ridibundus] |
| Date: | 2/4/25 |
| Time: | 13:30 |
| Length of time observed: | 30 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | ? |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Antelope Island Causeway |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 50 to 100 yds |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon 10x42 binoculars and nikon camera, Ziess 20x60 scope, couple cameras |
| Weather: | Overcast but extremely warm for this date |
| Light Conditions: | Ok |
| Description: Size of bird: | About Franklin's Gull size |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Gull |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | White and gray |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Gull |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Would have past this as a Franklin's Gull had I not gone to seen the on
last week at Lee Kay Ponds in Salt Lake County. Bird seemed to have same
characteristics of that bird with maybe a bit more black on head.
Biggest features of note were red bill and legs, drooping bill, white
primaries in flight, and smaller than Ring-billed Gull.
See photos Reporting do to different county. Guessing same bird. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None |
| Behavior: | Wandering around mud flats picking at ground most likely feeding. Swimming, preening and flying. |
| Habitat: | Lake edge |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Bonaparte's Gull has black bill and usually only a spot around ear area
this time of year. Franklin's Gull had black legs and not all white primaries. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Once before a week earlier at Lee Kay Ponds about 20 miles south of this location. |
| References consulted: | Internet, several books |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Weston Smith |
| Observer's address: | 1375n 6800e Croydon, Utah |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Aaron Smith, Arnold Smith |
| Date prepared: | 2/4/25 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |
Only reporting due to different county, guessing same bird. (eBird checklist: - https://ebird.org/checklist/ |