Which dark-backed 2nd/3rd winter Larus is this? - SW MI 4/14

[chipperatl]

I called this a Great Black-backed Gull in the field.  It never landed and there were no other gulls to compare to for size.  I have plenty of other angles if these don't work.  

[Trevor L.]

Not a gull expert, so wait for more to respond, but looking through the Sibley app, it seems to be a pretty good match for a second winter Great Black-backed.

[Tony Leukering]

The tail is all dark, which is wrong for GBBG of any age.

[AlexHenry]

2 hours ago, Tony Leukering said:

The tail is all dark, which is wrong for GBBG of any age.

So... 2nd winter Lesser Black-backed? 

Edited April 15, 2021 by AlexHenry

[chipperatl]

4 minutes ago, AlexHenry said:

So... 2nd winter Lesser Black-backed? 

Local birder said same thing.  I can tie some of the field marks to that for sure.  Gulls suuuuck when you can't compare sizes.?

[Trevor L.]

8 hours ago, Tony Leukering said:

The tail is all dark, which is wrong for GBBG of any age.

Okay... then what’s the actual answer? I’m guessing Lesser Black-backed, but since you didn’t give an answer, I don’t know.

[Tony Leukering]

7 minutes ago, Trevor L. said:

Okay... then what’s the actual answer? I’m guessing Lesser Black-backed, but since you didn’t give an answer, I don’t know.

Unless it's a MEGA, the dark mantle and black tail means LBBG.

[lonestranger]

17 hours ago, Tony Leukering said:

Unless it's a MEGA,

Typo? Bird code? Other?

[Trevor L.]

11 minutes ago, lonestranger said:

Typo? Bird code? Other?

He just means unless it’s a REALLY good bird, or MEGA.