Re: Gulls in Steinhude (german midland)
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 1:01 pm
The pattern on the tertials (solid black center, with just one thin, brown anchor near the tip) and secondaries (solid black spots on bases; broad and prominent white tips) fits YLGull much better than Herring Gull.
I have never seen such an extensive, solid black-and-white "piano pattern" on the secondaries in Herring Gull.
Also, head streaking is very limited (with nothing on the neck), which is again much more normal for YLGull.
An all-white tail at this age is seen in only a minority of Herring Gulls, but is quite normal for YLGull.
Legs already have a yellowish tinge.
Therefore, I cannot see much reason to label this bird as a Herring Gull?
I have never seen such an extensive, solid black-and-white "piano pattern" on the secondaries in Herring Gull.
Also, head streaking is very limited (with nothing on the neck), which is again much more normal for YLGull.
An all-white tail at this age is seen in only a minority of Herring Gulls, but is quite normal for YLGull.
Legs already have a yellowish tinge.
Therefore, I cannot see much reason to label this bird as a Herring Gull?