Mystery bird: Ross's Gull, Rhodostethia rosea
This lovely mystery bird species creates a birdwatching and media circus whenever it pops up in the United StatesRoss's gull, Rhodostethia rosea, photographed at Gavin's Point Dam, near Crofton, Nebraska, USA. Image: Terry Sohl, 1 December 2010 [velociraptorize].Canon 50D, 400 5.6L.Question: This lovely mystery bird is remarkable for many reasons, not the least of which include the dramatic effect it has upon people when it is sighted. Do any of you have experiences or stories to share about this species? Response: This is an adult Ross's gull, Rhodostethia rosea. This small, dove-like gull is rarely seen outside of the high Arctic, where it nests on the ground in swampy estuaries. The Ross's gull is a two-year gull, meaning that immature birds do not attain adult plumage until their second year of life. Adults in breeding plumage have a thin black ring around their neck and a pink flush to the...
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