[obol] Possible SLATY-BACKED GULL

[Cindy Ashy]

Could someone please explain how one would ever be
certain that they were looking at a Slaty-backed Gull
instead of "southern race" Western Gull, especially if
you don't see it fly? (I'm talking about
adults/subadults) And...why there never seems to be
any discussion about the possibility of a extra dark
backed "western-like" gull in Oregon actually being a
southern race Western Gull....seems like everyone
immediately starts talking about Slaty-backed Gulls.
Isn't it possible/probable that some of these rare
dark backed gulls in Oregon could be the southern race
of Western Gull? I think I read somewhere that
Slaty-backed Gulls wander and that Western Gulls don't
wander as much as other species....is this true?

Cindy Ashy


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