handrew 31/03/2010 08:09
Heuglin's gull
This was taken at MPNR 30th March 2010 - 2 shots showing upper and lower wing pattern - there seems to be a pale patch to the inner primaries.
It has been suggested this is Slaty-backed gull and looking again at Olsen & Larsson I would then say this is 2nd Winter.
Many thanks
Andrew
[[i] Last edited by handrew at 31/03/2010 15:12 [/i]]
cgeoff 31/03/2010 14:40
This is a Heuglin's Gull, Andrew. The almost complete lack of pale inner primaries favours this species more than Slaty-backed, in actual fact. Slaty-backed usually has paler inner primaries, if not strikingly so. Further, the tail band is rather too narrow for Slaty-backed. In addition, the ground colour of the head and underparts is rather too clean and white.
What is interesting about this bird is that it appears not to have moulted any greater coverts.
Second-winters of many large gull species, including Slaty-backed, have pale eyes and a rather more obvious pale tip to the bill.
GeoffC
[[i] Last edited by cgeoff at 31/03/2010 16:37 [/i]]
handrew 31/03/2010 15:09
Thanks Geoff. Instructive as always. Also on Vega gull!
Andrew