Great Black-backed Gull in St. Louis County
2010-12-08

'Rare Regular' in Minnesota

Adult Great Black-backed Gull flying over Canal Park, Duluth. This adult is one of three Great Black-backed Gulls that have been present at Canal Park every afternoon since Sunday- the other two individuals are a first-cycle and a second-cycle. Even though this adult is seen from below, it can be classified as a black-backed gull of some species by the darkness of the flight feathers from underneath, and it can be identified as a Great Black-backed by the combination of huge bill, amber-colored eye, pale pink legs, and terminal white mirror on the outermost primary.

Karl J. Bardon