Great Gull (juv.) in coastal area in Baku on 5th of november (1 Viewer)

[bubo_bubo]

The image of a juv Great Gull was made at the beach in front of a hotel in Baku/ Azerbaidschan. First I was thinking of Caspian Gull. But the mask and espec. the dark breast irritate me. Maybe another of the great Gulls? Sorry for the bad image but the distance was far...

Thanks for ID to the experts.

Cheers

Johannes

 

[lou salomon]

it's a 1cy Caspian Gull with apparently some issues concerning moult - strong bleaching of juvenile feathers is not usual at this time of year and scapulars also seem to be just halfway replaced, very few coverts 2nd generation. I wouldn't worry about the dark mask, it is often seen to this extent in 1cy Caspian Gulls. Dark breast is indeed weird but not the only weird thing in this bird which shows a mosaique of old bleached and darker 2nd generation feathers all over.