Steppe Gull ?? Lebanon , middle east . December 2021 (1 Viewer)

[bassel]

Dear all

Please can I have assistance and confirmation wether this is a Steppe gull . I am somehow very convinced on a Steppe gull as I am familiar with this species from previous sightings in Kuwait as it is common winterer there , however it is never documented in Lebanon . I believe this species is anual in small numbers to the Lebanese coast . So please we need a confirmation . Based on several characteristics , I am definitely convinced on s steppe gull .

Thanks in advance

 

[KenM]

It looks correct for Steppe Gull to my eye.👍

Cheers

 

[lou salomon]

why that? it's a Yellow-legged Gull!

 

[KenM]

why that? it's a Yellow-legged Gull!

Having now looked more “acutely” at the OP’s images Lou, I’m struggling to see the differences between YLG and Steppe!
Other than Steppe appears to have a marginally smaller eye with a “slightly” darker iris, also the primary pattern (P10 mirror looking 3x that of P9) mirroring YLG in that respect…so what is the fundamental difference between the two?

Cheers

 

[Gladiator96]

why that? it's a Yellow-legged Gull!

Not questioning your ID Lou but is the (very) small black mark on p4 ok for YLG?

 

[Gladiator96]

Not questioning your ID Lou but is the (very) small black mark on p4 ok for YLG?

answered my own question, various YLGs with black markings further than p5 on gull-research.org/

 

[JANJ]

The pale tounge below on p10 is diagonal, straigt in Steppe.

Larus cachinnans

This website deals with the taxon cachinnans - Pontic Gull. Comparison of plumage month by month.

www.gull-research.org

 

[KenM]

The pale tounge below on p10 is diagonal, straigt in Steppe.

Larus cachinnans

This website deals with the taxon cachinnans - Pontic Gull. Comparison of plumage month by month.

www.gull-research.org

Thanks for explaining JANJ:👍

 

[lou salomon]

yes, thanks, that was the main reason for my ID. tongue shape in michahellis actually is a bit rounded/bowed line in shape, not as diagonal as e.g. in most argentatus. it has to be said though that exceptionally even michahellis (and argentatus) can have rectangular tongue tips. Also, most barabensis have black down to p4 and often have stronger pigmented iris.