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Subject: Status of Larus vegae mongolicus in HK [Print This Page]

Author: HFCheung Time: 25/10/2015 22:38 Subject: Status of Larus vegae mongolicus in HK

I like to ask the status of Larus vegae mongolicus in Hong Kong. Please help.

At present the HK list has Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans on. Is that what we used to call Yellow-legged Gull ssp mongolicus? Are both Larus cachinnans and Larus vegae mongolicus present in Hong Kong?

How to distinguish Larus cachinnans and Larus vegae mongolicus?

HF Cheung

Author: cgeoff Time: 26/10/2015 13:25

Ho Fai,

Yes, Caspian Gull is what we call mongolicus (whether the latter is a ssp of vegae or not is debated).

As far as we know, only 'mongolicus' occurs regularly. Caspian Gull L. cachinnans is a possibility, but it is likely to always be rare. There are no records currently.

As for separation, I would defer to the literature; e.g. Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America by Olsen and Larsson.

Regards,

GeoffC

Author: HFCheung Time: 26/10/2015 20:15

Thanks Geoff.

I recently saw this bird in Baoshan, Yunnan (19 Oct 2015). It looks like a 1st winter Mongolicus to me (identifical to those in HK, I think). If confirmed, this will be a first for Yunnan. Please help with the id. I saw it briefly in flight. The dark tail tip is much thinner than a typical Heuglin at this time. Of course, body color also much paler as can be seen from the photo.

HF Cheung

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