December 3rd, 2004. Rye Coast, NH.

Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus.

This first-winter Black-headed Gull was foraging with a few Bonaparte’s Gulls just south of Odiorne Point in late afternoon. During the observation I noticed that the bird had slightly deformed mandibles, elongated and crossed at the tips, though it appeared to be feeding perfectly normally. Perhaps the deformed bill will serve as a means of keeping track of this individual’s presence along the Rye Coast as a number of first-winter Black-headed Gulls have been reported since late November. An adult Black-headed Gull was also present at Foss Beach on the same day, just a few miles down the road and an image of that bird is also included here.

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus), non-breeding adult or near adult, Rye Coast, NH, December 3rd, 2004. This individual has frequented the Rye Coast for several months, and can usually be found between Concord Point and Rye Harbor Marina .

<< Return to the Gull Pages

Home >>