Caspian Gull?

[Abdulla Paleri]

Dear Gull Lovers.
I have observed and photograped this gull from Kerala ,west coast of india on 26/12/17 at 2.30pm.But i have confusion over this species identification.
]Pease help me to identify this Gull

[marsmuusse]

Hi Abdulla,

This may either be a smallish female cachinnans, but the high bill probably better fit to barabensis.
This extensive moult in scapulars and even wing-coverts, shown by birds in December, are not likely birds from the far northern Russian tundra; I would go for birds from the steppe belt.

Mars

[Abdulla Paleri]

Thank you very much