Glaucous Gull (rare?)

[Copy_Kot]

I found this Glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus) hanging around near some ringbills this morning. My guides say that it is uncommon south of Canada, but they do not say if it is a rare bird... is it???

My Audubon guide says that in the world of gulls... this is the bad a**! It captures and eats auks, plovers, small ducks (it better leave my buffleheads alone), ptarmigans, and songbirds as well as lemmings, and fish.

[Bevb]

I dont think the Glaucous Gull is on the rare list, we get them over here (not in great abundance) in November through to March.
Apparently this species isnt currently at risk regarding conservation.
Its very similar i think to the Iceland Gull, but as you mentioned, this bird is definately the pirate out of the Gulls, a real scavenger and predator.

Great picture of it, looks like a first summer plumage.
Im sure if there's anything to report on this bird Paulnj will be the man to tell us.

[Copy_Kot]

Thank you Bev, it was pretty neat to see something different for a change around here. I tried to purposely underexpose this image ... hoping I could separate the white colors, I wasn't sure how well it worked out.

[paulnj]

Definately a glaucous gull and they are quite a rarity in NJ(I have never seen one), so NY should be a bit more common(but rare)

[Copy_Kot]

Thanks Paul,

I can't wait for spring to get here... this will be the first year that I will be paying attention to the different birds flying back up north.