Yellow Legged Gull or Herring Gull? / Croatia, Istria, Rovinj (1 Viewer)

[Alasdair1907]

Photographed in the beginning of October

After reading about large gulls for two days, I still have no idea how to tell the difference between adult Yellow Legged Gull and Herring Gull with yellow legs.

Juding by the size of the wings, darker gray top and bright yellow legs, I would say Yellow Legged Gull, but I'm still not sure. I suppose this could also be Lesser Black Backed Gull.

 

[KC Foggin]

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[wheatearlp]

Photographed in the beginning of October

After reading about large gulls for two days, I still have no idea how to tell the difference between adult Yellow Legged Gull and Herring Gull with yellow legs.

Juding by the size of the wings, darker gray top and bright yellow legs, I would say Yellow Legged Gull, but I'm still not sure. I suppose this could also be Lesser Black Backed Gull.

The red orbital ring would rule out Herring Gull.

 

[lou salomon]

The red orbital ring would rule out Herring Gull.

no, it would not. many baltic Herring Gulls do have red orbitals. there is actually no single feature which is diagnostic, separating some yellow-legged HGs from YLG. but summing up traits like primary pattern (which of course is not visible here), moult score and head pattern together with very yellow legs during october and structural traits helps identifying them.

 

[wheatearlp]

no, it would not. many baltic Herring Gulls do have red orbitals. there is actually no single feature which is diagnostic, separating some yellow-legged HGs from YLG. but summing up traits like primary pattern (which of course is not visible here), moult score and head pattern together with very yellow legs during october and structural traits helps identifying them.

Interesting Lou, is that not now considered a reliable feature, albeit taken in conjunction with other features? The literature I have, admittedly not extensive, seems consistent in saying YLG orbital is red vs. Herring orbital being described as anything from fleshy-coloured to orangey-red. I must confess I've not seen a Herring with an obviously red orbital. I'll have to look more closely!

 

[lou salomon]

Interesting Lou, is that not now considered a reliable feature, albeit taken in conjunction with other features? The literature I have, admittedly not extensive, seems consistent in saying YLG orbital is red vs. Herring orbital being described as anything from fleshy-coloured to orangey-red. I must confess I've not seen a Herring with an obviously red orbital. I'll have to look more closely!

Red orbitals are frequently found in baltic HG populations, often even in combination with yellow legs. They usually don't occure in Great Britain, that's why you didn't see any. In Poland and Sweden, I have seen quite some of them. And they are pure Herring Gulls, no hybrids.

 

[wheatearlp]

Red orbitals are frequently found in baltic HG populations, often even in combination with yellow legs. They usually don't occure in Great Britain, that's why you didn't see any. In Poland and Sweden, I have seen quite some of them. And they are pure Herring Gulls, no hybrids.

Cheers Lou, that would explain it.

 

[pianoman]

For my own education - would it still be the case that the OP picture is most likely to be YLG? If not, then I don't think I'll ever be able to say for certain that I've seen a YLG!

 

[lou salomon]

yes, the OP pic shows a Larus michahellis.