Petrel?

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heva1
heva1's picture
Petrel?

Is this a southern giant petrel? It was in the sea at Williamstown Vic.... not sure it's the right location...if not ...any other suggestions?

DenisWilson
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Hi Heva
With that huge beak, with the black tip, I think it is a juvenile Pacific Gull.
Similar in size to the Giant Petrel, but the latter has a very prominent nostril tube on top of the beak, which is not apparent in your shots.
The location would be right for the Gull, and not the Petrel which is an oceanic bird, whereas the Gull does come into Port Phillip.
Try enlarging and lightening the image to see what I mean about the beak of your bird.
See the BiBY site:
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/bird/249
Cheers
Denis

DenisWilson
DenisWilson's picture

Hi Heva
Further to the above. here is a link to a picture of the head of a Giant Petrel.
http://www.birdpedia.com/au/bi.dll/bipu02?m=001&id542=Giant%20Petrel&id952=0&id956=1&id961=0&id965=0&id967=0&id916=0&idw01=0
As you will see, it has that huge nostril tube on top of the beak, also it has a clearly hooked beak, whereas your bird has a chisel-like beak.
Cheers
Denis

heva1
heva1's picture

Thanks Denis, I looked at the links.... you're spot on.. Juv. Pacific Gull.

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