Gulls in southern Tajikistan last week (1 Viewer)

[PhilSteiner]

These two gulls were photographed last week in Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve, in the far south of the country. Is it possible to have a confident ID from just these two photos? No spread wing photos are available.

 

[Thijsdekruif]

As a non-expert: from the head shape it must be Caspian or Steppe. And the black on the tip of the bill points towards Steppe. But if there are real experts: I'd love to be educated.

 

[Evan Atkinson]

No experience with Steppe gull but both birds look very different to what I would expect an Adult Caspian gull, particularly the right hand bird. Bill is very chunky which is never a good thing for ID'ing Caspian Gulls imo so surely these are Steppe Gulls.

Evan

 

[lou salomon]

It's not possible to positively ID these gulls - you'd need to check primary pattern. While bill structure looks good for barabensis (but also for cachinnans for that matter) it is not safe to assume the black marks are a strong indicator for Steppe Gull - cachinnans also is prone to show black to bill during nonbreeding period, and it's a very variable trait. Phenologically, most Steppe Gulls should still be in the south ad Caspian Gulls might winter further north. But this is not really helpful.

 

[Muppit17]

It's not possible to positively ID these gulls - you'd need to check primary pattern. While bill structure looks good for barabensis (but also for cachinnans for that matter) it is not safe to assume the black marks are a strong indicator for Steppe Gull - cachinnans also is prone to show black to bill during nonbreeding period, and it's a very variable trait. Phenologically, most Steppe Gulls should still be in the south ad Caspian Gulls might winter further north. But this is not really helpful.

This attunes with my thoughts. In addition I understand that hybrid pairs have been found in Eastern Kazakhstan, just north of here,. This complicates the matter