Thayer's Gull

Thayer's Gull (Larus thayeri), Katherine Landing, Mohave County

This Thayer's Gull was found at Katherine Landing marina on Lake Mohave on the lower Colorado River north of Bullhead City, AZ by Molly Pollock and Mark Stevenson on 07 January 2007 and was seen again on 08 January 2007. There are fewer than 10 Arizona records of Thayer's Gull and this report will be reviewed by the Arizona Bird Committee. Further photographs of the bird in flight, etc would be helpful to the evaluation.

Note the overall diminutive jizz (compared to Herring Gull) the all dark bill, smallish rounded head, brown primaries and tertials, and well marked greater coverts.

Note the pale mantle molting in and the relative size compared to Ring-billed Gull

Here the pale underside of a primary is visible on the folded wing.

Photographed 07 and 08 January 2007 by Mark Stevenson