Iceland Gull?

[njones 2]

Very new to gulls, and wondering if the all-white gull standing with these other gulls (Herring, I think) could be an Iceland Gull? Stratford, CT, taken Jan 4 on LI Sound.

 

Included cropped shot and also shot of full group, for size.

 

Thanks for any help!

 

 

 

[Jefferson Shank 2,675]

bump

[IKLland 1,287]

Bump 

[IKLland 1,287]

@Tony Leukeringany thoughts?

[Jefferson Shank 2,675]

This is a Ring-billed Gull. An Iceland Gull would have very pale gray to white wing tips, but this bird has black wingtips. See this picture of an Iceland Gull and note the white wingtips.

[Avery 1,945]

21 minutes ago, Jefferson Shank said:

This is a Ring-billed Gull. An Iceland Gull would have very pale gray to white wing tips, but this bird has black wingtips. See this picture of an Iceland Gull and note the white wingtips.

I am certainly no gull expert, and have been struggling with the easy east coast gulls, but his doesn’t look like a ringer to me. The bill is too thin and “droopy”. If it’s a ringer, than it would have to be a 2nd winter or adult, and both stages have yellow legs according to Sibley. Also, comparing it to the nearby Herring gulls (yes?) and the ringer that is in the photo, it’s way too big. 

Edited January 5 by Avery

[njones 2]

These responses are helping me learn a lot - and sending me to good sources. Many thanks!

[AlexHenry 1,825]

It’s tough to identify because the bird in question is partially hidden behind a Laughing Gull. However, there does appear to be (at least some?) black in the primaries, pink legs, larger than the Ring-billed Gull (though smaller than some of the adjacent Herring Gulls) etc.

I think it’s either Kumlien’s/Thayer’s or more likely Herring.

Without a clear view of the primaries I don’t think we can say for sure.

[blackburnian 1,245]

On 1/6/2021 at 12:50 PM, AlexHenry said:

It’s tough to identify because the bird in question is partially hidden behind a Laughing Gull. However, there does appear to be (at least some?) black in the primaries, pink legs, larger than the Ring-billed Gull (though smaller than some of the adjacent Herring Gulls) etc.

I think it’s either Kumlien’s/Thayer’s or more likely Herring.

Without a clear view of the primaries I don’t think we can say for sure.

There’s no Laughing Gull. I think it’s hidden behind a Ringer. Either way, I agree, Herring. 

[Tony Leukering 3,373]

The bird in question is the only one facing that direction, so the comparison of upperparts coloration cannot be trusted to ID the bird. There is black in what appears to be the undersides of the primary tips, which rules out Iceland and Thayer's. It's almost certainly a Herring.