Het H word - hybrids from Poland

[vincent]

Hi there,

I'm not an expert on large gulls (hybrids and abberant plumages should be officially forbidden!), so I hope anyone can help me out.

Yesterday, while looking for ringed birds in Den Haag (the Netherlands), I found a 4 cy gull. It has the general structure of a Herring Gull and the head has quite some dark markings, but I also noticed a dark eye, and the bird was not very short-billed either (though, on the other hand, the gonys angle was quite strong). In flight it had a dark band on P5.

What do you guys reckon? Could this bird have some cach blood, or is this a dark-eyed HG with a black band on P5 (which might even break in its adult plumage)?

All the best, and thanks in advance,

Vincent van der Spek

[lou bertalan]

hi vincent,

since not proven otherwise (by a ring;)) i'd call this a dark eyed 4cy herring gull with a good conscience.

lou