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Gulls from Caspian Sea (1 Viewer)

Askar Isabekov

Well-known member
Please help id gulls from Caspian Sea. These two gulls are paler than majority (Larus cachinnas) and have pale eyes and pinkish legs. In my opinion they look like Herring Gull.

http://birds.kz/bkphoto.php?l=en&s=000109317&n=3&t=259&p=1
http://birds.kz/bkphoto.php?l=en&s=000109318&n=4&t=259&p=1

Also we found two juvenile birds looked very dark to cachinnans and not moulted to 1st w plumage.

http://birds.kz/bkphoto.php?l=en&s=000109599&n=1&t=257&p=1
http://birds.kz/bkphoto.php?l=en&s=030600466&n=5&t=257&p=1

These two birds probably are Herring Gulls too. But I haven't experience id Herring Gull and not sure.
 
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hi askar,

both 1cy are definitely herring gulls. probably a rare bird in caspian sea? the adults are somewhat difficult as they show a pattern very like cachinnans but this is possible in "herring gull types" of european russia, i.e. a solid p5 mark and long ventral white tongues in outer primaries. pinkish legs are possible in caspian. and i would have liked a bit more head striation for pure argentatus but they might be hybrids, argentatus x cachinnans of whatever generation and combination. however, head jizz indeed looks good for herring gull.

best,
 
The first adult is pale eyed but otherwise that looks very, very much like a Caspian to me Lou. The rather "colour-less" bill is another point in favour of Caspian I believe.
 
true, thibaut, they can well go as cachinnans. but i have encountered a couple of herring gull types with solid p5 mark and either yellow legs and long tongues, but with herring gull striation etc., wintering in black sea. so there should be an intergradation zone well into european russia. and you probably know the pics of greg neubauer from east of moscow?
the youngsters suggest there are overwintering herring gulls on caspian sea shores. you could be right, and they are in fact "simply" ad male caspian gulls.
 
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