Wednesday 5 July 2017

Wild Bird Wednesday 259 - Silver / Red Beaked Gull

A little bit more taxonomic confusion here.  For a long time, this bird was considered a full species - The Red-Beacked Gull, and it was only found in New Zealand.  Now it is considered a subspecies of the Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae).

These pictures were taken in Aukland harbour in New Zealand.  At the time I can remember thinking, I really can't see a difference between this bird and the Silver Gulls see on a daily basis.

As you may have gathered by now, I like many different sorts of birds - but the silver, grey and white combination sported by gulls really is rather magnificent.

So, this weeks WBW is brought to you by the Silver / Red Beaked Gull.






As ever, to join in with WBW, just click the blue button below the thumbnails.  SM

21 comments:

  1. yes I always liked this gull when I was in Austria Stewart Thanks for hosting and have a great week ahead

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  2. They are lovely and I get what you mean about their colour being special. I enjoy seeing Gulls that vist down by the Ohio River even here in KY, though I don't get there often~

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  3. Hello Stewart!:) Nicely captured images of the Red Beaked Gull,.. and with his silvery white feathers, and legs to match his beak, he is very handsome gull.

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  4. Hello Stewart, pretty shots of your Red beaked Gull. There are so many species of gulls, I could never keep up with their id's. Thanks for hosting. Have a great day and week ahead!

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  5. I like this gull. I did see it in Cairns. :)

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  6. His red feet are more red than his red beak ... that doesn't count? He is a handsome gull and like you I think they are impressive birds and quite the survivers given what they are usually up against. You seem to be doing a great deal of purposful traveling these days ... good for you. I would love to have a job that sent me the places you go :) I take that back ... I'm retired, don't need a job :)

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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  7. Excellent he obviously favours one leg :-) Cheers Diane

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  8. Their colored blocked feathers are indeed quite spiffy.

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  9. Très bel œil cet oiseau ! ;-)
    Céline & Philppe

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  10. What ever name it goes by Stewart, its still a smart looking Gull
    All the best Gordon.

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  11. Beautiful gull images. Our Thayer's Gull has also been downgraded to subspecies status. Theycan be a confusing lot!

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  12. Great shots, Stewart...love his one-legged balance! :-)

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  13. He is beautiful, Stewart! Well captured!

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  14. Wonderful shots Stewart..They look like the Gulls along the Jersey shore..I think their beaks are red?? Maybe orange?/ It's been awhile.

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  15. AND you got a lovely bird from behind shot! Bravo! One day the world will be brainwashed into my way of thinking...mwahaha!

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  16. Us birders can somewhat neglect looking fully at gulls. I am guilty of that at times but when I take the time to inspect a full summer plumaged gull of any size and shape I am always impressed. We really need a Gull Appreciation Society.

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  17. Thanks to you and your silver-grey sponsor for bringing us this lovely post!

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  18. I have very fond memories of my time spent on New South Wales beaches with Silver Gulls.......and I wish to apply for charter membership in Phil's proposed Gull Aporeciation Society!

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  19. Fantastic photos Stewart!
    Crystal clear and sharp as a tack...

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