Gulls from Kerala,India
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 5:01 pm
Steppe Gull.Fuscus barbensis.Kerala,India.9.2.2020
Hi Abdulla,
I understand all images are from February 9th, 2020?
Especially the 4th image attracts my attention, with a bird in active moult. As far as I know, mid-winter moult has not been described (yet?) for Steppe Gull, which is believed to follow a moult timing more in line with his steppe-belt cousin Caspian Gull. Typically, mid-winter moulters are believed to belong to either fuscus or heuglini, which both are tundra breeders. Did you have any darker, slate-grey adults (heuglini is appreciably darker than barabensis) around at the Kerala beach as well?