Unusual 3cy 'white-winged' gull - 'Viking'?
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 8:54 pm
This odd looking presumed 3cy 'white-winged' gull was videod at Cotham Tip, near Newark, Nottinghamshire, England on 3rd February 2017.
In flight it looked like an Iceland-type, with evenly pale primaries and no strong contrasts in the plumage. On the ground it was small-to-average Herring Gull in size.The bill looked too long and deep for an Iceland, more like that of a smallish Herring Gull and was mostly dark with an obvious pale tip. The primary projection beyond the tail was slightly greater than the bill length i.e. more 'Iceland' than 'Glaucous'; the eye looked dark in the field but 'mid brown' on the video-grabs; some adult-type grey feathers were present on the mantle and scapulars. Initial impressions suggested 'Kumlien's' but subsequent examination of video footage raised serious doubts. (See video-grabs below.)
I feel that this has to be a hybrid of some sort as it doesn't match typical Iceland or Kumlien's but what combination? 'Viking' Gull (Herring/Glaucous) seems the only possibility but if so, this bird doesn't appear typical.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
Kind regards to all, Richard Lowe (Derbyshire, England.)
In flight it looked like an Iceland-type, with evenly pale primaries and no strong contrasts in the plumage. On the ground it was small-to-average Herring Gull in size.The bill looked too long and deep for an Iceland, more like that of a smallish Herring Gull and was mostly dark with an obvious pale tip. The primary projection beyond the tail was slightly greater than the bill length i.e. more 'Iceland' than 'Glaucous'; the eye looked dark in the field but 'mid brown' on the video-grabs; some adult-type grey feathers were present on the mantle and scapulars. Initial impressions suggested 'Kumlien's' but subsequent examination of video footage raised serious doubts. (See video-grabs below.)
I feel that this has to be a hybrid of some sort as it doesn't match typical Iceland or Kumlien's but what combination? 'Viking' Gull (Herring/Glaucous) seems the only possibility but if so, this bird doesn't appear typical.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
Kind regards to all, Richard Lowe (Derbyshire, England.)