Gull experts please: "Herring Gulls" in Opus (1 Viewer)

[njlarsen]

With the latest updates of checklists, the traditional Herring Gull is split in four parts. The pages are essentially ready, but I wanted to have someone check that the photos used for each of the four pages are correctly assigned. The pages are:

European Herring Gull - BirdForum Opus

www.birdforum.net

American Herring Gull - BirdForum Opus

www.birdforum.net

Vega Gull - BirdForum Opus

www.birdforum.net

Mongolian Gull - BirdForum Opus

www.birdforum.net

thank you in advance
Niels

 

[lou salomon]

Without an open wing to check exact pattern the ID of 'Herring Gull types' is mostly impossible. That said, all birds seem to be photographed in right time in the right places, i.e. on breeding grounds during breeding time, so, the occurence of any vagrant other taxon is close to 0%. Vega seems to have a well pigmented iris which is ok for that taxon, specifically. The other three also 'look' exactly how they should look, so I think it is safe just approve the pics as what they are labelled.

 

[johnallcock]

One that I'd question is the 1st winter Mongolian Gull in flight (this one: File:Mongolian Gull by Bobby6425.jpg - BirdForum Opus). This seems darker on the upperparts than I'd expect, lacking the 'anchor' shape in the scapulars - compare with the photo of the bird on the ground. I also think the tail might be too dark, and greater covert pattern not quite right.

The location isn't given, but the photographer seems to be based in the Philippines, where I think taimyrensis/heuglini (Lesser Black-backed) is the most likely large gull.

But I'm not a gull expert and I do struggle with young gulls, so I could well be wrong. It would be useful to hear other opinions on this bird.

 

[lou salomon]

One that I'd question is the 1st winter Mongolian Gull in flight (this one: File:Mongolian Gull by Bobby6425.jpg - BirdForum Opus). This seems darker on the upperparts than I'd expect, lacking the 'anchor' shape in the scapulars - compare with the photo of the bird on the ground. I also think the tail might be too dark, and greater covert pattern not quite right.

The location isn't given, but the photographer seems to be based in the Philippines, where I think taimyrensis/heuglini (Lesser Black-backed) is the most likely large gull.

But I'm not a gull expert and I do struggle with young gulls, so I could well be wrong. It would be useful to hear other opinions on this bird.

Do Slaty-backed Gulls get to the Philippines, John? Since that particular bird looks to me like a SBG rather than a taimyrensis.

 

[lou salomon]

Nils, there's a mistake in the distribution notes one the recent split here: Herring Gull - BirdForum Opus

it says:
Herring Gull has been split throug several rounds into a number of species. These include:

• European Herring Gull - mainly North America
• American Herring Gull - mainly Europe
• Vega Gull - mainly north-eastern Siberia; winters south to China
• Mongolian Gull - Breed southeastern Altai and Lake Baikal to Mongolia; winters southern Asia
  
  so, North America and Europe should be switched

and these two https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/images/6/65/Herring_Gull_Juvnl_Fighting_ML.jpg look like 1st cycle GBBG to me.

as with other gulls: Common Gull still has a Short-billed Gull pic here (bottom of page): Common Gull - BirdForum Opus

 

[njlarsen]

Nils, there's a mistake in the distribution notes one the recent split here: Herring Gull - BirdForum Opus

it says:
Herring Gull has been split throug several rounds into a number of species. These include:

• European Herring Gull - mainly North America
• American Herring Gull - mainly Europe
• Vega Gull - mainly north-eastern Siberia; winters south to China
• Mongolian Gull - Breed southeastern Altai and Lake Baikal to Mongolia; winters southern Asia
  
  so, North America and Europe should be switched

and these two https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/images/6/65/Herring_Gull_Juvnl_Fighting_ML.jpg look like 1st cycle GBBG to me.

as with other gulls: Common Gull still has a Short-billed Gull pic here (bottom of page): Common Gull - BirdForum Opus

Thanks Lou, the top error is corrected, and the image of the short-billed gull moved to that page.

Regarding the questionable image of the fighting EuHeGulls, I was trying to look for a replacement. Is this one correctly identified?

European Herring Gull

1st-winter bird. Thank you for your comments, stay safe and well. John

www.birdforum.net

Niels

 

[johnallcock]

Do Slaty-backed Gulls get to the Philippines, John? Since that particular bird looks to me like a SBG rather than a taimyrensis.

Ah yes, that's probably a good suggestion - there are a few Philippine records of Slaty-backed on eBird, and you're right that it does look rather like one. I didn't think about that when I replied earlier.

 

[njlarsen]

Do Slaty-backed Gulls get to the Philippines, John? Since that particular bird looks to me like a SBG rather than a taimyrensis.

Ebird has two Slaty-backed Gull observations (one of them seems to be the same bird being present for a month).

Should I remove that image from the page? I have not been able to find an alternative immature Mongolian in the gallery.
Niels

 

[lou salomon]

Yes Nils, I'd certainly remove it since it doesn't look like a Mongolian Gull.
And yes, the flight shot in post 6 is a 1st cycle European Herring Gull .

 

[njlarsen]

Yes Nils, I'd certainly remove it since it doesn't look like a Mongolian Gull.
And yes, the flight shot in post 6 is a 1st cycle European Herring Gull .

Thanks, I acted on both of these.
Niels