Gull + prey ID please

[Rustydon]

I suspect this is a 1st winter Herring Gull, but have no idea about it's prey / food / Left Overs:









Shot in a Polar Bear enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

Any thoughts?

Russ

 

[Deleted member 34016]

Blackbirds maybe ???

 

[Rustydon]

Blackbirds maybe ???

- Thanks Mate, but I suspect now it's something (unusual) left over from a Polar Bear's meal!

Russ

 

[realspeed]

Gull looks like a first year fledgling , we get loads around here on the south coast

 

[Rustydon]

Gull looks like a first year fledgling

- Thanks Bazza, my thought too!
- but I'm still puzzled by what it's eating!

Russ

 

[Cobra]

I suspect this is a 1st winter Herring Gull,

Its a tough call on juvi gulls but I suspect you are right.(Black end to the bill and pink feet)
Although it generally takes 3-4 years to attain adult plumage.

but I'm still puzzled by what it's eating!

It looks like a lump of fish to me.
(I guess they aren't allowed to feed them seals? )

 

[Rustydon]

Thanks for agreeing the Gull ID Chris
- and you could be correct about possibly fish leftovers (no seals at YWP!! - so I'll quiz a keeper next time I'm around there)

Russ

 

[Dale.]

(I guess they aren't allowed to feed them seals? )

To be honest, seal was my first thought but I doubt that's going to happen, unless they've found one dead or something like that. I'm not sure of the location and seal might not even be possible there. It does look kind of blubbery though.

I'm useless at gull ID, sorry for not being much help.

 

[Cobra]

and seal might not even be possible there

Russ covered that

(no seals at YWP!!

It does look kind of blubbery though.

That was my first thought too, and its dark so maybe a catfish ?

 

[Rustydon]

To be honest, seal was my first thought but I doubt that's going to happen, unless they've found one dead or something like that. I'm not sure of the location and seal might not even be possible there. It does look kind of blubbery though. I'm useless at gull ID, sorry for not being much help.

- I think we can rule out seals, Dale - I'II ask a keeper next time I'm there!