Gull, SW-Germany, May (1 Viewer)

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,

is it possible to ID this Gull? Thanks!

(If forced, I would say its a Caspian x Herring Gull hybrid but I it was a bird I couldnt identify with confidence in the field and it still is)
(all: Möwe SW, Schwetzinger Wiesen, SW-Germany, 18.05.2024)

https://flic.kr/p/2pVRoCZ

https://flic.kr/p/2pVRoXX

https://flic.kr/p/2pVRoqK

https://flic.kr/p/2pVYcza

 

[lou salomon]

Why did you dismiss the most likely species at that place, Alexander? I see a female type michahellis, perhaps with a little bit less black than usual.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Lou,

thanks for correction as always!

• small and gently round-headed appearance, dove like gave this bird a Caspian Gull vibe when I first saw it
• small eye, looked dark-eyed because of this, but a closer look reveiled a pale iris
• lack of a red eye-ring, also in binoculars
• long white tip on p10 with only an indication of two black spots, no broken band
• darkish-grey, not black underside of p10 (only on pictures, so only because of mushy picture quality?)
• large mirror on p9
• I thought of much white and little black in the wingtip too
• very narrow, but yes complete black band on p5

 

[Southern Viking]

I'm not as good as either Lou or Alexander at gulls, but that does seem like an awful lot less black and more white on the primaries than a pure michahellis should have?

 

[lou salomon]

I see absolutely no problem in the primary pattern nor in structure for a YLG. Females can have a dove like look, in about all large gull taxa - males usually are the ones with more pronounced head and species typical bill. P10 tongue is about half of the feather, p9 mirror is small and rounded and an all white p10 tip is not at all rare and found in all populations of nominate michahellis. YLg is breeding in the upper Rhine valley, any other taxon should be considered exceptional there by the end of may. Cheers

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Better late the never:
Thanks Lou, very helpful as always!