Swallow-tailed Gull (Creagrus furcatus) - Seattle, WA
This ABA Code 5 adult bird was found by my friend Ryan Merrill. He has found so many incredible birds in WA and BC but I think this one tops all of his previous finds and that's a tall order!
This is the 1st record for WA State and the 3rd record for the ABA.
This gull is so rare here because it breeds in the Galapagos Islands. It is also a cool gull because it is nocturnal. Actually, it is the only nocturnal gull and seabird in the world, It eats squid and fish which rise to the surface at night to feed on plankton.
Amazing how it got all the way here! I am very glad I got to see it at CarKeek Park. The light was harsh and not great for photography but it was one of the best twitches I've been on. Tons of friendly people and gorgeous weather in a beautiful spot with the most stunning Gull I've ever seen! (To the left of him is a very pretty gull in its own right a Heermann's Gull.)
Swallow-tailed Gull (Creagrus furcatus) - Seattle, WA
This ABA Code 5 adult bird was found by my friend Ryan Merrill. He has found so many incredible birds in WA and BC but I think this one tops all of his previous finds and that's a tall order!
This is the 1st record for WA State and the 3rd record for the ABA.
This gull is so rare here because it breeds in the Galapagos Islands. It is also a cool gull because it is nocturnal. Actually, it is the only nocturnal gull and seabird in the world, It eats squid and fish which rise to the surface at night to feed on plankton.
Amazing how it got all the way here! I am very glad I got to see it at CarKeek Park. The light was harsh and not great for photography but it was one of the best twitches I've been on. Tons of friendly people and gorgeous weather in a beautiful spot with the most stunning Gull I've ever seen! (To the left of him is a very pretty gull in its own right a Heermann's Gull.)