Odd smithsonianus or a Slaty-backed???

This first year gull was photographed at Red Rock Reservior, Marion County, Iowa in November 2000. For two interesting and educational
comparisons, see the following webpages for birds from Texas and California, both IDed as possible Slaty-backeds. To my eye, they are both
extremely similar to the Red Rock gull, especially the California bird which has remarkably similar wing pattern, tail pattern, and bill shape.
I posted a request for opinions to the ID-Frontiers listserve. The results are here; scroll down to number 5.







Send comments to: abrees@hotmail.com