Rare Sightings: Quebec's 5th SLATY-BACKED GULL Discovered Near Mirabel
Share
On December 29, 2024, birders in Quebec witnessed an incredible discovery as the province's fifth-ever Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) was found at a landfill near Mirabel. Discovered through the thick fog by Samuel Denault and the Grandmont brothers, Thierry and François-Xavier Grandmont, this rare sighting has sparked excitement within the local birding community. The bird, often elusive in North America, was identified with greater clarity over the next two days, making it one of the most significant birding events of the season. Here's everything you need to know about this extraordinary find and what it means for birders across Quebec and beyond.
The Discovery: The bird was first spotted on December 29, 2024, at a landfill near Mirabel, a site known for attracting large flocks of gulls. Despite the challenging conditions caused by fog, Samuel Denault and the Grandmont brothers, Thierry and François-Xavier, managed to identify the elusive Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus), an extremely rare visitor to the region. However, with the vast number of gulls in the area, confirming its identity was no easy feat.
Confirmation of the Identification: Better views and photos were obtained on December 30 and 31, solidifying the bird's identification as Quebec's 5th-ever Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus). The bird’s distinctive features, including its unique plumage, were captured in high-quality images, allowing other birders and ornithologists to verify the sighting.
A Difficult Find: Like most dumpsites, the landfill near Mirabel posed access challenges for birders. The sheer number of gulls in the area made it tough to pick out the Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) from the crowd. However, despite these difficulties, several other ornithologists were able to relocate the bird on December 31, confirming that this remarkable find was not a fluke.
How to Identify a Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus):
The Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) can be tricky to identify, especially among large groups of gulls. Here’s a breakdown of its key features and how it compares to other gull species present at the landfill, such as the American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus), Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), and the Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus):
1. Size and Structure:
- Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus): The Slaty-backed Gull is a large gull, roughly the size of the American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus), but with a more robust and stockier build.
- American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus): Similar in size to the Slaty-backed, but typically leaner with a more slender build and slightly longer wings.
- Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus): Larger than the Slaty-backed, with a more massive and heavy-set appearance.
- Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus): Smaller and more slender than the Slaty-backed, with a slimmer build and more elongated wings.
2. Plumage:
- Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus): The adult Slaty-backed Gull has a striking and distinctive plumage, characterized by its "eye-patch" (a dark, almost black streak around the eye), a heavily mottled head and neck, and a wide crescent-shaped white patch on the wings. The mantle is a dark slate-gray color, providing a sharp contrast to the pale head and neck. These key features help set it apart from other gulls.
- American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus): The mantle is a paler, silvery-gray, and the head is much less heavily mottled than the Slaty-backed, with no strong contrast between the head and body.
- Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus): This species has a much darker mantle—almost black—and is significantly larger, making it easy to distinguish from the Slaty-backed.
- Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus): The mantle of the Lesser Black-backed Gull is a dark slate-gray, but it lacks the contrasting head pattern and wide white crescent found in the Slaty-backed Gull. It also has a more slender build.
3. Bill:
- Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus): The bill of the Slaty-backed Gull is robust, slightly shorter and more powerful than an American Herring Gull's (Larus smithsonianus), often appearing more "thick" at the base with a gentle yellowish hue.
- American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus): Herring Gulls have a thinner, more delicate bill with a noticeable pinkish hue to the lower mandible.
- Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus): The bill is large and powerful but has a more intense yellow color with a red spot near the tip.
- Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus): Similar to the Slaty-backed, the Lesser Black-backed Gull has a powerful, slightly shorter bill with a yellow hue, but it is more slender than the Slaty-backed’s.
4. Legs:
- Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus): The legs are a dull pink or pale yellowish color.
- American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus): Herring Gull legs are often a dull pink as well, but they may appear a little paler than those of the Slaty-backed.
- Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus): Typically has pale yellow or pinkish legs.
- Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus): The legs of the Lesser Black-backed Gull are typically yellowish or pale pink, sometimes with a slightly more vibrant hue than the Slaty-backed.
5. Behavior and Vocalizations:
- Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus): Slaty-backed Gulls are often more aggressive in feeding behavior, particularly in dumpsites. Their calls are deep and resonant, though not as harsh as those of the Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus).
- American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus): Herring Gulls produce a louder, more shrill call and can be more sociable than the solitary Slaty-backed.
- Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus): Known for their loud, harsh calls and dominance over other gull species.
- Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus): The Lesser Black-backed Gull's call is similar to the American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus), though it is generally quieter and more melodious.
The First Checklist: For those interested in the specific details of the first sighting, you can view the checklist submitted by Samuel Denault and the Grandmont brothers, Thierry and François-Xavier. The checklist, recorded on eBird, documents the species spotted and provides valuable insights into the birding experience at the landfill on that day.
- Date: December 29, 2024
- Location: Landfill near Mirabel, Quebec
- Bird Species Identified: Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus)
- Other Species Included: American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus), Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus), and others
- View Full Checklist on eBird
Why This Sighting Matters: The Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus), a species native to East Asia, is rarely seen in North America. Its appearance in Quebec adds to a growing list of rare bird sightings in the region, further demonstrating the diversity and unpredictability of bird migration. For local birders, this discovery serves as a reminder of the importance of persistence and observation in the field, as well as the excitement of spotting a rare visitor.
Conclusion: The discovery of Quebec's 5th Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) is an exciting moment for birders in the region and across North America. With better photos and clearer identification, this sighting is sure to be remembered as one of the most significant birding events of 2024. Keep an eye on your local birding hotspots—you never know when the next rare bird will make an appearance!
Have you seen any rare bird species recently? Share your sightings and experiences in the comments below! Be sure to subscribe for more rare bird news and updates straight to your inbox.
Happy birding!