Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), Lake Havasu, Mohave County

This Black-legged Kittiwake was photographed by Matthew Grube on 20 January 2019 and by Thomas Benson on the same day. Two have been present on Lake Havasu recently, though only one at a time has been seen on the Arizona side and it is unknown if both have been on the Arizona side. The first was found by David Vander Pluym on 21 December 2018, the second by Lauren Harter on 5 January 2019.

Casual late fall and winter visitor to Arizona with 20 prior accepted records (and two pending).

Identification fairly easy for 1st winter individuals with bold and very contrasting wing pattern, slightly notched tail with black tip, and extensive blackish collar and head spot.

20 January 2019, photo by Matthew Grube

 

20 January 2019, photo by Thomas Benson

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