Gull ID - Italy (1 Viewer)

[balex78]

Hello Lou,

i need some help with these gulls seen in italy in the last autumn/winter

end of january
http://www.ornitho.it/index.php?m_id=54&mid=109987


end of november
http://www.ornitho.it/index.php?m_id=54&mid=104427

middle november
http://www.ornitho.it/index.php?m_id=54&mid=104060


end of october
http://www.ornitho.it/index.php?m_id=54&mid=103218

They've all been marked as herring gulls, but I have some doubts. In my opinion, they all could be michahellis. May I have your opinion on that? Could you also explain why they're michahellis or herring gulls? Molt in the scapulars, gc, tertials etc...

Thanks a lot
Alex

 

[lou salomon]

hi alex,

first of all, i'm not the only one who can give ID suggestions, it's an open forum, hopefully others might join in with their opinions. as for the pics on ornitho:

1. looks good for argentatus: bill and head structure, gc-pattern, open wing: no grey median covert row, pale bases to primary coverts etc.

2.-4. all look like michahellis to me: long wings, many second generation coverts/tertials; 2 and 3 quite definitely 1cy micha, 4. looks like a retarded 2cy micha (some can show such scattered grey and barred scaps by beginning of 2nd winter.

cheers

 

[balex78]

Thanks Lou. that was my thought also.
As for the first one, I don't think the open wing refers to this bird because two hg have been signaled. I got some doubts even for the first one.
Are all tertials still 2nd generations?

Thanks
Alex