Mew Gull (Larus canus), Willcox, Big Pond, Cochise County

This adult Mew Gull was discovered by Dick Filby and photographed by Mark Stevenson on 03 February 2010.

There are 10 previous records of Mew Gull in Arizona, but this is only the second record away from the Colorado River Valley.  The other was at Painted Rock Dam so this is a first for Southeastern Arizona.  It is also the first Mew Gull record in Arizona since 1999.

The unmarked bill and large scapular crescents separate this bird from adult Ring-billed Gull.  The extensive dark smudging on the head and neck are consistent with this being the American race (L. c. brachyrhynchus).

03 February 2010, photo by Mark Stevenson

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