Odd Herring type Gull - Midlands UK (1 Viewer)

Jim Almond · Feb 15, 2008

Would welcome comment regarding a very striking Herring type seen today. Mantle darker than typical Herring Gulls and pristine looking plumage but it was the head and shape, habit (seemed to be constantly standing erect) which caught my eye and I wondered Caspian? The eye didn't seem dark enough though....

lou salomon · Feb 15, 2008

you're not sticking your neck out, do you, cm?

it's quite a typical herring gull with triangular looking smallish head (compared to ylg) and especially black on primaries not reaching p5 - pattern perfectly for a (possibly) nominate argentatus. michahellis has more black and lacks the tongues that this bird exhibits in p9. tips of primaries are large.

Cristian Mihai · Feb 15, 2008

I'm not an expert in Gulls, but I would say:
1. The back color seems to be a little bit to dark for a Caspian.
2. Maybe the wing tip pattern visible in the second pic will help an expert to decide. In my opinion we have here a Herring type - see:http://www.tarsiger.com/gallery/ind...lace=&order=nro,paiva+DESC&sel=&find=find&r=4

Cristian Mihai · Feb 15, 2008

Seems that the expert was already here...

NickPatel92 · Feb 16, 2008

Like you said, the eye is not Dark enough for a Caspian.

Odd Herring type Gull - Midlands UK (1 Viewer)

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