What critical feature on the bill helps distinguish the adult Xeme?
Answer
It possesses a pale or yellowish tip
When examining an adult Sabine’s Gull, particularly when the bird is perched or observed in flight, the bill offers an important diagnostic feature for species identification. While the bill itself is short, stout, and overall black, the distinguishing characteristic is the very tip. This distal portion of the bill features a pale coloration, often described as yellowish. This specific detail is crucial because it helps observers differentiate the Xeme from similar species of gulls that may be rarer but share other general characteristics, ensuring accurate identification in the field.

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Xeme Facts: Sabine's Gull (Xema) 𓅰 Animal Fact Files - YouTube
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