European HG?

[paseriformes]

Hello.
I took this picture in Madrid, I think that is a 2º winter eurpean HG, but I am not 100% sure of the ID.
Any help are welcome.
Delfín

[marsmuusse]

Hi Gabi,

In general it very much resembles smithsonianus, but I doubt if it will be "a 100% ID safe" bird. A few things could be better on this, especially upper- and undertail-covert barring and a bit less white in the tail would be appreciated as well.
That said, it can well be smithsonianus, but if so, it probably falls within the category "hard to fully exclude European birds"?
Also, of course, it's a very variable plumage, and if you like to get an idea of what smith's look like in this plumage, have a look at: http://gull-research.org/smithsonianus/2cyoct.html
where you'll also find a few ringed birds. The first impression may be your bird easily fits into these kind of birds, but how to fully exclude argentatus? (rather than argenteus in this bird I think) A similar problem is apparent in 1st winters, especially when you see these ringed (!!!) 1cy argentatus from S Norway: http://gull-research.org/smithsonianus/1cyaugust.html (scroll down).

Cheers, Mars

[adriaens]

To me, this bird looks more European than American.
Perhaps one of those Herring Gulls from Iceland?

[paseriformes]

I upload another picture to compare size with LBBG, if this gull is a European HG, provably is Argentatus.
Cheers
Delfín