REPORT #: 60-B-06

Idaho Bird Records Committee Rarities Report Form

Species: Black-legged Kittiwake

Reporter: Jay Carlisle

6105 Kirkwood Rd

Boise, ID 83709

jaycarlisle@boisestate.edu

Other Observers: none

Date Report Prepared: 11-4-06

Date Sighting Occurred: 11-2-06 (between 220-235pm)

Locality of Observation: American Falls, Power Co.; on river ~ 100-150m below American Falls dam

Habitat: river

Conditions: partly cloudy and calm; I used Swarovski EL 10x42 binoculars and a Fujinon 80mm spotting scope (20-60 zoom) at between 20-40x.

Did you take notes? not at all

Did you consult a field guide or other reference work? during the observation

What guide(s) or reference(s) did you consult?

Sibley & National Geographic

Description: A smallish gull; larger than nearby Bonaparte's but approximately similar in size to Ring-billed Gulls (not present for direct comparison). Distinctive features included a thicker black bill than nearby Bonaparte’s Gulls, a prominent dark smudge behind the eye on an otherwise whitish head, a medium-gray mantle, and a black collar running from the sides of the chest across the base of the neck. Also, while I did not observe the bird in flight, the black wing pattern was evident in the bird’s perched position – showing as a diagonal line along the folded wing.

Behavior: The bird was sitting on the water during the entire 15 minute observation period.

How and when did you positively identify the bird, and what clinched the identification for you? I first noticed the black sides of the neck collar and then soon also noticed the more prominent spot on the side of the head and the larger black bill in comparison with nearby Bonaparte’s Gulls.

How did you eliminate similar species, and what were they? Possibilities include Sabine’s Gull as well as Bonaparte's, Black-headed, and Little Gulls – all of which have somewhat similar wing patterns. Only Red-legged Kittiwake has a similar black collar on the hind neck but this species has less black on the upperwings, a shorter bill, and a darker mantle color.

Experience with this species (and similar species): I have observed many hundreds of BL Kittiwakes (immatures and adults) during migration and winter along the east coast (especially Massachussetts) and west coast and have also previously observed one immature in the interior in South Dakota. I have observed countless Bonaparte’s, 10+ Sabine’s, a handful of Black-headed (east coast), and 1 Little Gull but am yet to see RL Kittiwake.

General birding experience: extensive; 14+ years in US and Latin America

Were photo(s), video, and/or audio obtained by you? (If yes, please include or attach) Yes - but better photos by Cliff Weisse and (in flight) Chuck Trost taken on the following day.

PHOTOS by CARLISLE:

With Bonaparte's Gull...