Gulls Georgia (1 Viewer)

[BikeandBird]

Hello all,

I took some photos of gulls yesterday west of Gori, Georgia. One of the attached birds I IDed as Yellow-legged because of the pale iris. Not sure though and not sure about the others. I am still a bit confused about ID and distribution of Yellow-legged vs. Armenian here in Georgia. So I would appreciate some help.

Thanks in advance,

Leo

 

[Muppit17]

I am not going to try the immatures, however having seen plenty in Israel & Georgia, I don't think I have knowingly seen an adult Armenian Gull that has no black in the markings on the bill.

On that basis alone, I would go to YLG as a default.

It may be worth trying Yoav Perlman who is familiar with separating both species in Israel.

 

[smiths]

All look like Armenian Gulls to me.
Besides, I think Yellow-legged Gulls in Georgia occur along the Black Sea coast only, not this far inland?

 

[Muppit17]

All look like Armenian Gulls to me.
Besides, I think Yellow-legged Gulls in Georgia occur along the Black Sea coast only, not this far inland?

I only saw Armenian Gulls in the upland lakes of Lesser Caucasus region (transcaucasia) so can't comment from person experience and didn't see any YLG at all in Georgia.

A quick look at eBird shows plenty of inland YLG.

I still can't see the round headed short billed look typical of AG in any of these.

 

[smiths]

Absolutely nothing wrong with head and bill shape of these birds.
To compare:

Հայկական որոր - Larus armenicus | Biodiversity of Armenia

Biodiversity of Armenia - All observations from nature online

armenia.observation.org

Հայկական որոր - Larus armenicus | Biodiversity of Armenia

Biodiversity of Armenia - All observations from nature online

armenia.observation.org

 

[BikeandBird]

What separates the photographed gulls from Yellow-legged? Besides the location...
Took the attached photo even further inland and also IDed the bird as Yellow-legged.

 

[smiths]

Your bird has the short, heavy bill of Armenian, extensive feathering on bill base (both on upper and lower mandible), bulging forehead, extensive black on P8 and a rather greyish-yellow iris. Without flight shots indicating otherwise, I would not call it a Yellow-legged Gull, taking into account the location.