Iceland Gull in St. Louis County
2011-01-14

'Rare Regular' in Minnesota

Third-cycle "Kumlien's" Iceland Gull foraging through a snow squall at Canal Park, Duluth, 14 January 2011. This yellow-eyed individual has been seen regularly at Canal Park since at least 6 December 2010 and was one of three Iceland Gulls recorded on the Duluth CBC. Note its petite bill with a dark subterminal ring, large-looking lemon-yellow eye, rounded head shape, pale gray mantle, and relatively uniform plumage. Not discernible in this image is a faint white mirror on p10. The extent of gray on its back and gray upper median secondary wing-coverts suggests that this bird has started its partial prealternate molt. Slightly darker outer webs on the outermost 3 or 4 primaries are typical for kumlieni at this age. Originally posted as a second-cycle bird; thanks to Karl Bardon for pointing out that its adult-like inner primary pattern in flight indicates third plumage cycle.

Peder H. Svingen