The bill shape, colour, red legs and eye looks like a Silver Gull but the colour is not right, even for an immature or juvenile gull.
Unless it has some form of melanism or has been drenched in something like oil? The tail looks a bit scruffy, but otherwise did it appear sick or injured?
I would have thought an immersion in substance like oil would make the bird unhealthy/sick looking.
If your a member of Birdthefeckathome Facebook page, there are a couple of experts there who might know better!
With your permission, I could post there, of course photo credit to you?
After failing to find anything close, I came back to an oily Silver gull myself. It was alone, whilst other silver gulls gathered on the nearby rock platform. It Spent a fair bit of time preening, running its beak along its feathers. I expected it to dry off, ruffle up its feathers while I watched it, but the feathers stayed strangely clumped. Sad really.
Post it where we might get confirmation, fine with me, as I am not on Facebook.
I agree with Dale that it is a Silver Gull... most likely stained with something like oil or tannins although melanism (increases of dark pigmentation) is another possibility. Hopefully, Dale will come back with an answer for you.
So the only definite answer so far, Yes it is a Silver Gull.
There have been similar birds sighted in other areas, posted on Australian Bird ID (ABID) Facebook page, with split opinions (I am not a member there, so relying on others feedback).
One user suggests the feathers are "too clumped" to be melanism, whilst another suggests "coal or oil" contaminated water, yet another suggest perhaps some tannin stained water.
Partial melanism Is still possible, but I think the majority believe he bird has been in contaminated water.
If anything more definite comes up, will keep you posted.
As I am a member of ABID, I searched for Silver Gull and found one that was considered melanistic but from Altona in Victoria. The legs and beak were also darker rather than red like this one. The feathers were much cleaner looking or smooth rather than 'damp' or clumped as the feathers on this one appear to be. So I think staining is the more likely answer. Hope that gives you some idea of what to look for if you spot it again.
Thanks for the question, Michael... it gave us a bit of mental exercise.
Seabird Rescue on the South Coast said they have seen one similar, and attributed it to coal dust. There is a large coal loader north of this beach at Port Kembla. Still looked healthy-ish when I saw it, but ostracised from the rest of the mob.
The bill shape, colour, red legs and eye looks like a Silver Gull but the colour is not right, even for an immature or juvenile gull.
Unless it has some form of melanism or has been drenched in something like oil? The tail looks a bit scruffy, but otherwise did it appear sick or injured?
I would have thought an immersion in substance like oil would make the bird unhealthy/sick looking.
If your a member of Birdthefeckathome Facebook page, there are a couple of experts there who might know better!
With your permission, I could post there, of course photo credit to you?
Definetly keen to get an answer.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Thanks for the response,
After failing to find anything close, I came back to an oily Silver gull myself. It was alone, whilst other silver gulls gathered on the nearby rock platform. It Spent a fair bit of time preening, running its beak along its feathers. I expected it to dry off, ruffle up its feathers while I watched it, but the feathers stayed strangely clumped. Sad really.
Post it where we might get confirmation, fine with me, as I am not on Facebook.
Cheers
This might help
I agree with Dale that it is a Silver Gull... most likely stained with something like oil or tannins although melanism (increases of dark pigmentation) is another possibility. Hopefully, Dale will come back with an answer for you.
So the only definite answer so far, Yes it is a Silver Gull.
There have been similar birds sighted in other areas, posted on Australian Bird ID (ABID) Facebook page, with split opinions (I am not a member there, so relying on others feedback).
One user suggests the feathers are "too clumped" to be melanism, whilst another suggests "coal or oil" contaminated water, yet another suggest perhaps some tannin stained water.
Partial melanism Is still possible, but I think the majority believe he bird has been in contaminated water.
If anything more definite comes up, will keep you posted.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
As I am a member of ABID, I searched for Silver Gull and found one that was considered melanistic but from Altona in Victoria. The legs and beak were also darker rather than red like this one. The feathers were much cleaner looking or smooth rather than 'damp' or clumped as the feathers on this one appear to be. So I think staining is the more likely answer. Hope that gives you some idea of what to look for if you spot it again.
Thanks for the question, Michael... it gave us a bit of mental exercise.
Thanks for the help!
Seabird Rescue on the South Coast said they have seen one similar, and attributed it to coal dust. There is a large coal loader north of this beach at Port Kembla. Still looked healthy-ish when I saw it, but ostracised from the rest of the mob.
Cheers,
Michael
The consensus now is that it is a soiled/stained bird.
By the way, they are nice photos, even if the subject is unfortunately not in peak condition.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania