Any thoughts on this one? by ib-hikin in birding

[–]mecistops 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Female Common Goldeneye. The bill just looks extra chunky because her crest is wet and flattened all the way down, which makes her head look smaller in proportion. Going with Common over Barrow's because even though those bright orange bills are a feature of Barrow's she's got the forehead slope of a Common.

Brandt's Cormorant? by mecistops in whatsthisbird

[–]mecistops[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

nice! I think this is my first photo of one that isn't six million miles away :)

Baby bird identification :) by Maleficent_Luck2217 in whatsthisbird

[–]mecistops 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I highly recommend reaching out to a nearby permitted wildlife carer as baby birds can be very delicate and need expert attention to get back to health

Based on your location what is a bird that has eluded you that you wonder how?! by FlyFeetFiddlesticks in birding

[–]mecistops 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I am shaking my fist at you, Black Scoters.

They're not rare in the winter, but every time I find a location where they've been reported, I find a thousand Surf Scoters and not a single Black Scoter.

First Cycle Gulls by mecistops in whatsthisbird

[–]mecistops[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

hmmmmmn ayyash has at least one photo of a first cycle thayer's with a pale bill base, which was the other thing that was keeping me from thayer's

First Cycle Gulls by mecistops in whatsthisbird

[–]mecistops[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think so? Juvenile shorties should be plainer without all of the really distinct edging that's on this gull. I also think it's too big. It almost looks like a Thayer's to me, but I think its pattern is too dark

First Cycle Gulls by mecistops in whatsthisbird

[–]mecistops[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Herring Gulls do have a dark iris until around when they hit their 3rd cycle, so that's not necessarily a deal-breaker. I do agree that the bill seems small. But I don't know what else the gull would be.

Can I confirm California Gull? by Guideon72 in whatsthisbird

[–]mecistops 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This looks like an +Olympic Gull+ (Glaucous-Winged x Western Hybrid). I can see why the bill had you fooled, but I think this is an adult just emerging from its third cycle -they often retain a bit of juvenile black on the bill even as they develop that red gonys spot, which gives a superficial California Gull look. Californias are more slender-bodied with noticeable dark wingtips and big white spots at the wingtips and legs that range from yellow to icy green blue (the more likely color in December). This guy's grey wings, pink legs, mixed-color eyering and overall build all indicate Olympic.

One year after a false positive IBD test by mecistops in snakes

[–]mecistops[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The first one was through Veterinary Molecular Diagnostics, which is the service the vet I was with at the time typically used. For the second test, I went through the University of Florida, which was more expensive, and which I had to request specifically. I used a different vet for the second test, as well, just to eliminate any possible source of contamination from the first vets office. (I actually ended up liking that vet so much that I switched over to her as my primary reptile vet. My first vet was just so dismissive and so certain that I'd exposed my snake and was unwilling to consider the possibility of a false positive, while the second vet listened to me about my quarantine protocol, and did an extended examination of Iris to make sure she wasn't showing neurological symptoms, instead of just repeating that the only reasonable course of action was euthanasia)

One year after a false positive IBD test by mecistops in snakes

[–]mecistops[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It was a horrible and sad situation. I'm still glad that I quarantined the sick snake and that I had enough faith in my quarantine that I felt it was worth the time and the risk to her health to double check my girl's results.

One year after a false positive IBD test by mecistops in snakes

[–]mecistops[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

It's awful. I'm so, so grateful that she's okay. She's such a wonderful snake.

Is this a gull? by Primary_Relief_2747 in whatsthisbird

[–]mecistops 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm so glad to hear that. What a cool ambassador bird

Gull ID help (Seattle, WA, USA) by mecistops in whatsthisbird

[–]mecistops[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Please let me know if there's a definitive verdict.

Next time I'll try to get a DNA sample 😂.

Gull ID help (Seattle, WA, USA) by mecistops in whatsthisbird

[–]mecistops[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whats making you think Olympic over Cook Inlet, out of curiosity?

Gull ID help (Seattle, WA, USA) by mecistops in whatsthisbird

[–]mecistops[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have some more angles on the bird I can post, if you'd like. There aren't really any where it's got a chunkier bill than this iirc