Pallas's Gull / Oman (1 Viewer)

Jose605

Well-known member

• Mar 26, 2019

• #1

I believe there are all Pallas's at different stages (apart from the obvious Sootys and Terns in the background).

Could you please confirm?

Best,

Jose

 

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Alan henry

Well-known member

• Mar 26, 2019

• #2

I think you are correct on the first 3 images but the last one is certainly not a Pallas's Gull, looks like an adult Lesser Black Backed to me.

Cheers

Alan

 

stuartelsom

Well-known member

• Mar 26, 2019

• #3

Fairly sure that only the first image refers to Pallas's Gull. All other large gulls are probably Heuglin's type, whilst the smaller darker gulls are Sooty, and the terns appear to be Greater Crested Tern.

Stu

 

Last edited: Mar 26, 2019

Jose605

Well-known member

• Mar 26, 2019

• #4

Thank you both for the feedback!

Heuglin's are common in the area as well. So you're probably right, Stuart.

Cheers!

:t::t:

 

A

andyb39

Well-known member

• Mar 27, 2019

• #5

I wouldn't call the last one heuglini - back too light, head is too rounded, eye small and dark, doesn't look "mean" enough. Maybe an adult Steppe Gull (barabensis.

 

Jose605

Well-known member

• Mar 27, 2019

• #6

Thank you for your input, Andy.

Would Steppe be Caspian?

Cheers.

 

Richard Prior

Halfway up an Alp

• Mar 27, 2019

• #7

Jose605 said:

Thank you for your input, Andy.

Would Steppe be Caspian?

Cheers.

Click to expand...

No, Steppe is Larus fuscus barabensis, so one of the Lesser Black-backed Gull subspecies, Caspian is a species in its own right.

 

M

Muppit17

Well-known member

• Mar 27, 2019

• #8

Jose605 said:

Thank you for your input, Andy.

Would Steppe be Caspian?

Cheers.

Click to expand...

I would agree that it looks like a good candidate for barabensis but they are difficult to separate and the colour of the mantle is notorious for being light sensitive. I would need to see other features to confirm.

With IOC, barabensis is currently being lumped with Lesser black-backed Gull ie Larus fuscus barabensis whilst Caspian is regarded as a separate species in its own right Larus cacchinans.

 

Jose605

Well-known member

• Mar 27, 2019

• #9

Got it, thanks for the explanation.

Jose