And amongst them is this dark fellow. Well, we are just a bit too far away to see clearly if he is just a brown gull or something else.
Then a few of the came over to the lot we were parked in and while this isn't the dark one, he might be related. So, we decided to drive over and get a closer look (yes, drive, it is one of the busiest streets in the city, you don't cross it on foot).
I think he is a gull, but couldn't find anything in Wikipedia or WhatBird to confirm. He flies like a gull and has the same webbed feet, so if anyone knows any differently please let me know.
So many of them were sitting like decoys on a pond though and let us walk quite close to them. Then they walked along with us.
Have a good day all....and those in Canada that have the day off - enjoy!
17 comments:
he couldve been sporting his summer tan perhaps (or she). gulls can be pretty bold sometimes. i like hearing them and watching them ride on the wind currents
Oh, so that's it! Thanks for clearing that up Ben ;)
They were getting together to plan their attack.
Cool gull photos, Reb. I suspect the odd-coloured ones are immature. Haven't the foggiest which variety though.
Jay, that could be... that was only about 1/3 as many as I get in the school yard behind my place though!
Leah, that's what I thought, but, the others seemed to be ignoring him/her when we were across the street.
According to my bird book ("Birds of Alberta"), he is probably an immature Ring-billed Gull - grey back; brown wings and breast, dar-banded tail; dark-tipped bill.
Ring-billed gulls are the common "sea-gull" in Alberta. (It goes on to say that most of the gulls in Edmonton commute daily from Big Lake, near St. Albert).
You're welcome.
(that's supposed to read "dark-banded tail".... oops.)
Gulls are interesting and adaptable birds. They will congregate anywhere that they have learned has a good food supply, and are being found further and further inland in many places.
They can also be quite bold. The ones at Disney World in Florida will dive bomb people to take food away from them!
Nice pictures.
Thanks Sis! I thought s/he might be immature, but the way the others seemed to be ignoring/avoiding him/her, was strange.
Messymimi, they certainly are that. There are a few restaurants in that area too, so good pickings from the garbage - well, for them I imagine.
I was thinking a juvenile herring gull but I'll bow to Baggie's expertise. ;)
Gulls are interesting, intelligent, and adaptable birds. They're among my favourites. (Generally, the fish they're after are smaller than the fish I'm after so I don't see them as rivals.) ;)
Hilary, I find I have to do that too once in awhile ;)
Frank, I enjoy watching them playing in the wind and they are so clever.
Stopping by to say thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such a sweet comment!
Seagulls, for some reason, have drifted so far inland they now inhabit mall parking lots in Tennessee! I was on the beach ( in Florida) one time; we had stopped at McDonalds for burgers, and the gulls flocked around. When I got up from our blanket to snap pictures, one bold gull flew off with my entire Big Mac!
I scrolled down and found your post about the birds. PERFECT!!!!
We built a house for some starlings a few months ago; then we discovered what pests starlings are about the same time my cat had her first starling meal. Now sweet little bluebirds have taken the house!
LOVE your cat! We once had a cat that LOOKED like a Himalayan, but wasn't. Dasha, she was named. Dumb as a box of rocks. But beautiful beyond belief.
Great pics!
Ethmaepotter, thanks for dropping by. Yes, gulls are amazing thief's ;) I'm glad bluebirds have taken over the house and hopefully your cat won't find out what they taste like.
David, thanks.
I would like to exchange links with your site sibupegasuspower.blogspot.com
Is this possible?
Not if you want to be anonymous!
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