A Bonaparte’s Gull in nonbreeding plumage.
Bonaparte’s Gull is not one of the typical gulls seen daily around Kootenay Lake in the summer. Bonaparte’s breeds in boreal forests well to the north of the Lake.
As with other migrants that winter to our south and breed to our north, they are seen primarily as they pass through. The odd one is seen heading north early in the summer or heading south later. However, they might look different on the different jaunts.
The picture of the Bonaparte’s Gull on the right was taken in early June of this year. It is in its nonbreeding plumage: grey head with a black spot behind the eye.
The bird I saw yesterday was in its breeding plumage: a hood of black. This is the first year I have seen (well, noticed) the bird. Two pictures of it are below.
Yesterday’s Bonaparte’s Gull was in its breeding plumage.
