Gull ID, Italy (1 Viewer)

Silvio Davison

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2008

• #1

Hi all,

Yesterday i found this odd gull in the Venice Lagoon. It has the upperparts of a 3cy/4cy lacking only marked "mirrors" on primaries as it only had a faint spot on P10. The leg colour and the bill,though, were that of an 1cy/2cy and it had a black marking on the eye...is this just an unusual Yellow-legged or what?

Cheers


Silv

 

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JANJ

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2008

• #2

Hello Silvio.

Ageing gulls (as you you would know) is problematic (!) due to variation - but probably a type 3cy with a retarded bill colour. An open wing view and tail pattern is a good thing, not necessarily making ageing more easy but anyway gives a few more clues. The size of the white tips on the primaries and mirror on p10 is important for the ageing process. As 2cy-early/late 3cy or longer, YLG often lack, or has a faint, mirror on p10 and usually small white primary tips. Variation is to be considered, some more advanced some less, but tips and mirror is a good guide.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~daarruud/michahellis3a.html

http://www.xs4all.nl/~daarruud/michahellis3c.html

http://www.xs4all.nl/~daarruud/micha/micha2.html

http://www.xs4all.nl/~daarruud/micha/micha3.html

http://www.gull-research.org/ylgadsubad/3cyoct/micha6733.htm

JanJ

 

Silvio Davison

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2008

• #3

Thanks Jan
It's just that I didn't know that a 4cy could have a 2cy-type bill... Very helpful links though!

Ciao


Silv

 

JANJ

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2008

• #4

...and I forgot to show this one Silvio - known age michahellis:

http://www.mallorcaweb.net/gavines/edat gavines_conjunt.htm

JanJ

 

T

Th_SQ

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2008

• #5

Silvio Davison said:

It's just that I didn't know that a 4cy could have a 2cy-type bill...

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Even (known) adults ... Ageing of gulls is not an exact science

 

JANJ

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2008

• #6

Right Th_SQ, but ringed individuals are pretty accurate.

JanJ

PS. Long time no see Th_SQ, hows life?

 

T

Th_SQ

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2008

• #7

JANJ said:

Right Th_SQ, but ringed individuals are pretty accurate.

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Only if ringed in the nest :king:

JANJ said:

PS. Long time no see Th_SQ, hows life?

Click to expand...

Perfect, thanks for asking.
Some excellent birds at my local patch.
Ringing sessions a bit dull though || when it's not raining (it does happen) there are few passerines to catch.