Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus), Bill Williams River NWR HQ, Mohave County

This Lesser Black-backed Gull was found and photographed by David Vander Pluym on 12 November 2019

Currently, eleven accepted records for the state with two others pending. This species is increasing with the first state record occurring in 2006, and nearly annual records in the past five years.

A bird still in juvenile plumage. Note especially the white, sparsely barred upper tail coverts that strongly contrast with a blackish tail band, the blackish remiges lacking a strongly paler panel on the inner primaries and the dark bar to the base of the greater coverts. Also note the slender bill and long wings.

12 November 2019, photo by David Vander Pluym

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