[cobirds] Short-billed Gull at Cherry Creek SP-Arapahoe

All,

We are currently short a dedicated reviewer for Arapahoe County.  I thought I'd throw an email out about this bird as it may take some time to get to it in the review queue (I don't have access to Arapahoe).  I have been contacted by several people about the reported Short-billed Gull at Cherry Creek SP and their concerns with the ID.  I can confirm that every picture that exists on eBird shows a first-winter Ring-billed Gull.  Both species in first-winter plumage exhibit similar characteristics.  A bi-colored bill with pink base and black tip.  The bill for SBIG is more dainty and thinner.  Both species can show pinkish legs at this point.  The pics that I have seen show the start of the light mantle coming in that is not dark enough for Short-billed.  Also, Short-billed Gulls have very brown remiges as opposed to black ones for Ring-billed Gulls and are generally uniformly brown in body tone.

I am not trying to call anyone out here or to embarrass anyone.  I'm just trying to get ahead of this before there are a whole lot more records to review in the queue.  If anyone has any additional questions regarding this bird, please reach out to me directly.

Bird is the word!

Josh Bruening

Fort Collins

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