Thayer's Gull (thayeri)

(last update: January 22, 2013)

Nelson's Gull hyperboreus x smithsonianus adult, May 23 2009, Palmer Landfill north of Anchorage. Picture: Kirk Zufelt.

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This bird looks like a stalky Herring Gull. The white yellow eye and orange orbital ring is typical for Herring Gull. The primaries are an odd greyish-black.
Some similarity to Thayer's Gull, but HYBRID GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL X AMERICAN HERRING GULL larger overall with longer and stouter bill, but plumage can overlap with Thayer’s. Some presumed hybrids resemble Thayer’s closely and may be difficult to identify without known species for size and structure comparison, but most hybrids are bulkier with larger bills.