Back in Port Fairy now and one of the first birds I encountered was the other large Gull that is frequently found around Australia’s southern coast. Points of difference from the Pacific Gull in adults include
- The bill looks less of a weapon
- The bill has a red dot on the lower mandible only
- The legs are a different yellow
- No black band in the tail
- A white margin around the black in the wing
Immature birds of both species have black bands in the tail, bill shape is then your best guide.
This guy had a vigorous bath then flew to the rocks to preen. Birds use their bill to distribute oil from the uropygial gland through their feathers.
bobmcgee 