1cy gull - what species?

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RSNaarhus
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Re: 1cy gull - what species?

Post by RSNaarhus » Thu Dec 29, 2011 12:40 pm

Hello Hans and Oscar

What made me think that this bird did not fit 1cy Herring Gull was e.g.:

- Solid dark centres and with white edges on the very worn tertials. Most Herring Gulls in Denmark at this time (mid-September) show rather fresh tertials.

- Rather many mantle feathers have been replaced already which also is somewaht early for Herring Gull imo.

- Whitish head with some darker markings around the eye.

- Very dark centres to the larger and medium coverts on the upperwing without the more chequered pattern that most often is found on Herring Gulls.

- Elongated jizz with a seemingly rather small head and "push-up" breast.

- Blackish tail-band

- Very dark upperwing without an obvious pale window to the inner primaries.

I guess all these imo diverging characters could be found on a sample of Herring Gulls but not on a single bird, I would think.

Best wishes and a happy new year

Rune Sø Neergaard

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