[Valéry Schollaert]

Hi All,

This bird recall Caspian for paleness
http://www.ornithomedia.com/phorum/file.php?2,file=6458

and is identified such by some; I wonder if it isn't slighty leucistic, which explain pale plumage... thanks for commenting.

Cheers

[Cristian Mihai]

It looks a little bit too pale for a "regular" bird...On the other hand, I have to say that I saw some (somehow) similar birds, here in Romania.
By the way, I like the GBBG from the background...

[Valéry Schollaert]

Thanks Christian. I'm also looking forward to read Lou's comment...

[Th_SQ]

Hi,

Any good reasons why it's not a washed-out 2nd cal year GBBG ?

Structure, bill, few remaining anchor-shaped scapular, ... better for GBBG IMHO.

When was the pic taken Valéry ?

[Valéry Schollaert]

Hi

Yesterday in NW France... not my photo. Here is another one.
http://www.ornithomedia.com/phorum/file.php?2,file=6456

Cheers

[Cristian Mihai]

IMHO it is not a GBBG. Please note that I didn't suggest an ID for the washed bird...yet...

[Th_SQ]

And third one

http://www.ornithomedia.com/phorum/file.php?2,file=6457

[Cristian Mihai]

Originally Posted by Th_SQ

And third one

http://www.ornithomedia.com/phorum/file.php?2,file=6457

Interesting...

[Cristian Mihai]

My picture (Bucharest, March 2012)

[tittletattler]

Originally Posted by Valéry Schollaert

Hi All,

This bird recall Caspian for paleness
http://www.ornithomedia.com/phorum/file.php?2,file=6458

and is identified such by some; I wonder if it isn't slighty leucistic, which explain pale plumage... thanks for commenting.

Cheers

Fascinating bird. Small head and large body suggests Caspian. But even though the wing coverts are so pale, I can still see darker areas and paler vermiculations. So, a female GBBG? I don't know........

Cheers, Andy.

[lou salomon]

indeed, a fascinating male caspian. now with the additional pics it is quite obvious. interesting how in some male caspians primary projection can look short - and in the pose of pic 2 (stretched in the wind) the pp looks just right for a big male cachinnans.
in the first pic i was not sure if it is a foreshortened male caspian gonys or a blunt tipped YLG. large eye and somewhat athletic built remind of michahellis indeed. but this snout, strong bill, strong legs and the bleached (not leucistic i think) covert pattern, and, the only really perfect caspian feature here: tertial pattern with a wider crescent than YLG, not undulated at all.

[Th_SQ]

Which age do you think it is Lou ?

[lou salomon]

1cy, no question.
it's probably a genetical issue that some individuals (in all large gulls) bleach much faster than others, but this is not leucism.

[Cristian Mihai]

I have to agree with Lou: 1cy Caspian Gull

[tittletattler]

Originally Posted by lou salomon

1cy, no question.
it's probably a genetical issue that some individuals (in all large gulls) bleach much faster than others, but this is not leucism.

Yes indeed. No question that this is bleaching rather than leucism. In that respect, the mantle and scapulars fit Caspian better.

Cheers, Andy.

[Valéry Schollaert]

thanks all