The Yellow-footed Gull (Larus livens) breeds in the Gulf of California and is a visitor to the Salton Sea in southern California. There are apparently very few records of genuine extralimital records of this species. Unlike many other large gulls, the Yellow-footed is a three-year gull instead of a four-year gull. In 2nd year plumage it retains a distinctive black tail band, yet shows a mantle color much like an adult bird. On 9 July 1998 Ron Weeks found a black-backed gull on the beach at Surfside, Brazoria Co., Texas. Summer is just about the most unlikely time of year to see a large black-backed gull of any species in Texas, so Ron took a number of photos of the bird even though he was uncertain of the specific identity. The bird was not seen after that date. Ron's photos and written description were circulated through many gull experts, including Michael Patten who wrote the Yellow-footed Gull account for the Birds of North America project. Many of these experts, including Michael, felt that Ron's photos depicted a Yellow-footed Gull. The record was reviewed by the Texas Bird Records Committee and accepted as the first Texas record of this species.

All photos © Ron Weeks.


NOTE: In 2005 this record was again reviewed by the Texas Bird Records Committee (TBRC) when compelling evidence was offered to indicate this bird was probably a hybrid Kelp X Herring Gull. These presumed parent species have been breeding for several years in coastal Louisiana. The TBRC has removed Yellow-footed Gull from the Texas List. I'll leave these photos here just for discussion purposes.

 Note the black tail band (with one new white feather)