Center for Ecological Research

This dark “white-winged” gull was photographed on Monhegan Island,  4 Jan 2008. This second winter individual (clearly not first-winter) appeared to be darker than a typical Kumlien’s Iceland Gull.  It was slightly larger than the Kumlien’s Gulls (10+ individuals) on the island but clearly larger than Ring-billed Gulls in the area. As the images depict, it was clearly smaller than American Herring Gull.  The primaries were smoky brown, the tertials had dark centers, and the secondaries were darker than than the inner primaries. Bruce MacTavish, from St. John’s. Newfoundland, and a very respected Larid expert thought this bird was a dark Kumlien’s Gull.

Fig. 1.  Dark “white-winged” Gull with a second winter Kumilen’s Gull in background. The over-all darker color and dark brown primaries and tertials are apparent. The head shape does not appear to be as “dove-like” as typical Iceland Gulls.

Fig. 2.  Gull in flight showing dark brown tail band, dark outer primaries and secondaries contrasting with lighter inner primaries.

Fig. 3.  Gull in flight showing dark tail band from below.

Fig. 4.  Gull on Monhegan Island showing silvery underwings and darker secondary and primary coverts.

Fig. 5.  Gull in flight on right showing dark tail band, silvery underwing, and somewhat darker primary tips.

Fig. 6.  Gull in flight moving left, behind American Herring Gull, showing dark outer primaries, pale inner primaries and dark tail.

Fig. 7.  Dark “white-winged” gull in the distance and center of image was clearly larger than the Ring-billed Gull to the  immediate right but smaller than the American Herring Gulls.

Fig. 8.  The dark “white-winged” gull on the right was slightly larger than the second winter Kumlien’s Gull on the left.