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August. Indiana. |
Age: Overall, this appears to be an adult-type gull based on the white body, white tail and clean gray upperwing.
Identification: Our September bird is somewhat of a mystery, but a well-known individual that has summered on the Illinois/Indiana state line for the last 20 years. Most people who got the correct answer this month were already familiar with "The Colonel", a putative hybrid between Laughing and Ring-billed Gull (which means this is likely the most popular hybrid gull in the ABA Area).
I was impressed by several responses that gave an analysis of why the bird reminded them of Laughing Gull & Ring-billed Gull.
In any event, here's The Colonel in April, sporting its alternate plumage and with outer primaries fully grown:
