What wing pattern helps field observers recognize immature Sabine’s Gulls?
Answer
A dark, W-shaped pattern across the back of the wing
Juvenile and immature Sabine’s Gulls possess a plumage that is generally mottled brown and gray, lacking the defined lines seen in adults. For field observers trying to identify these younger birds, a critical visual cue is found on the wings. When the immature bird is either perched or gliding, the trailing edge of its primary flight feathers forms a specific, recognizable dark marking across the back of the wing, which is described as a dark, W-shaped pattern. This specific wing signature is key to distinguishing immature Xemes from other similarly colored juvenile seabirds.
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Xeme Facts: Sabine's Gull (Xema) 𓅰 Animal Fact Files - YouTube
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