CGs_Hortobágy_Hungary_2014_March_I

[hieraaetus]

Hi Guys,

Yesterday, I visited the Eagle hide again, only to find Caspian Gulls instead:))

Before I upload some pictures of ordinary looking birds, let me go ahead and ask you about these ones.
One of them is a 2nd-winter with heavily barred rump. I think, I have never seen this before at this age-group. Maybe a hybrid with HG? I also attached a picture of a bird I consider to be average-looking in this respect.
(Sorry, I wrongly named the pictures as 3rd winter, so I corrected them in the "File comment")

The other seems to be a 1st winter to me but it has moulted P1-P6 already. This is another phenomenon I haven't encountered yet (If I recall it right).

Let me know what you think!
Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Gabor

[lou bertalan]

hi gabor,

2 stunning birds!
i haven't seen such a barred uppertail in 2nd cycle cachinnans either and i guess the simplest explanation is indeed herring gull blood.
and it's the first caspian (if i remember right) replacing inner wing during 1st winter already, while in michahellis i have encountered this phenemenon in at least 3 cases.
nice documentation and thanks for sharing.

lou

[Theo Muusse]

The moult in the inner wing is different in both wings, with p4-p7 in the right wing and p1-p6 in the left, together with S1.
This reminds me of a bird having moulted as a result of some illness.
This is accentuated by the un-moulted secondaries and rectrices.
If it is really a very advanced bids I would like to see all coverts moulted as well as the secondaries and rectrices.

Theo

[hieraaetus]

The moult in the inner wing is different in both wings, with p4-p7 in the right wing and p1-p6 in the left, together with S1.
This reminds me of a bird having moulted as a result of some illness.
This is accentuated by the un-moulted secondaries and rectrices.
If it is really a very advanced bids I would like to see all coverts moulted as well as the secondaries and rectrices.

Theo

Hi Theo,

I checked for another picture showing the right wing from a different angle.
You are partly right, P8-10 are old, however, to me it seems that P7 is missing, P1, P3, S2 and S3 are moulted, as well. Also some tertial in the left wing and at least one tail feather.
Of course, it still can be sick:)
Cheers,

Gabor