Marston Reservoir (Denver Co) - Ring-billed Gull with red rubber band around the maxilla

[Joe Roller]

During our annual Yuletide circumnavigation of Marston Reservoir, our band of Denver Christmas Bird Count birders studied a flock 

of Ring-billed Gulls on the west shore (probably visible from the road west of the fence too). None of them were banded in the conventional

way.

We noticed what appeared to be a thin, red, elastic or rubber band around the base of the maxilla (upper mandible). See photo.

Note that the feathers at the base of the bill are slightly compressed by this band, attesting to the elastic property of this man-made object.

"How did that band get there?" Oh, the gull must have eaten a fish. The question then would be, "How 

did a fish get banded?"  Who knows, perhaps the gull was visiting the office supply section of a trash dump. Other

theories are welcome.

Joe Roller, Denver

Please note that the sighting was on December 16, NOT on April Fool's Day. I am serious for a change.

                                                                                                                                                                       Photo credit to Lori Bollendonk