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Larus sp. (Larus sp.) Gulls, Terns and Skimmers (Laridae) | |||||||||||||
3767
(5 photos)
2021-11-27 Dragør Kommune, Denmark
First calendar year. From the distance I was hoping this dark bird would be a young lesser black-backed gull, lbbg, and the only reason why I now have to say, it is not, is the obviously too bright primary window that simply can't be found on a pure lbbg, as far as I know. The fact that the bird is still mostly in juvenile plumage and the fact that the few second generation scapulars look very good for a lbbg, as well as the pattern of the tertials, could then indicate a bird of mixed genes. Could this be a hybrid Lesser Black-backed x Herring? The rather compact profile of the bird and the paling of the base of the bill could be caused by a Herring parent. I was also speculating whether it could a hybrid with Caspian involved, but would, no matter what, have expected a more progressed molt pattern than seen here. Uncertain |
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4246
(8 photos)
2022-08-28 Amager Strandpark, Denmark
First calendar year. Could this be a hybrid between Caspian x Herring? Caspian traits: The outer greater coverts have solid colored centers, the primary window looks rather faint, the bill looks slim and long, it shows fine thin black and white bars just inside the broad tail band. Herring traits: the tertial pattern shows small but clearly visible notches, the underwing is rather dark. The outer tail feathers don't show a solid dark subterminal band like the rest of them, something I'm not sure is possible to see on a pure Caspian. In general the bird looks too advanced for a pure juvenile Herring but also too dark for a pure Caspian. I was speculating if Yellow-legged could be involved, especially because of the dark underside and the very faint window in the hand. But the bird seems too slim and the tertials don't fit plus the tail pattern really is better for Caspian. Uncertain |
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4669
(11 photos)
2022-12-24 Amager Strandpark, Denmark
First calendar year. To me this bird resembles something between a herring and a yellow-legged gull. The pale expression, head and belly goes well with a YLGUas does the narrow pale fringes on the tertials and the, mostly, dark centered outer coverts. But then the tail pattern is not good for YLGU but fine for a HEGU. The inner primary window also seems to fall in between the two. Dark outer webs compared to pale inner webs is good for a YLGU, but maybe the pattern is too weak after all with the window being too pale. The new Dutch gull book mentions that herring doesn't show contrast between inner and outer webs but in stead of shows a dark spot at the tip of these primaries. I think this bird shows something in between. A Caspian gull would show a finer bill with less gonys angle, and would appear paler overall I think with more advanced gray on the back, and the dark tail band would be more well marked with more white showing proximally on the outer rectrices. And paler underwing coverts. And a flatter forehead. Uncertain |
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4852
(1 photos)
Same bird: 102
2023-02-07 Christianshavns vold og voldgrav, Denmark
Second calendar year. Banded with white text on blue on right leg: V.NLO. Metal band on left leg. Didn't pay attention to the bird in the field, and only have this photo. Mostly looks like a Herring, but the rather pale head and underbody plus the greater coverts that for a large part have solid colored centers make me think it could be a hybrid. It seems too fresh in plumage and too well-marked to resemble a classic Caspian. The stout look, however, could be a better match if there was a mix with Yellow-legged included. Will have to see what the bander has to say about it. Uncertain |
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4908
(1 photos)
Same bird: 102
2023-02-18 Christianshavns vold og voldgrav, Denmark
Second calendar year. Ravelinen. Banded with white text on blue on right leg: V.NLO. Metal band on left leg. Uncertain |
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4951
(8 photos)
2023-02-21 Christianshavns vold og voldgrav, Denmark
Second calendar year. Ravelinen. Many features point in the direction of a Caspian Gull: Dark eye, white head, long flat bill, tertials un-notched, long rear party, dark centered greater coverts, rather pale underwing (though not as pale as can be). But the strongly anchor- shaped markings on the shoulder feathers might be too much for this species and pointing in direction of a mix with Herring or perhaps more likely Yellow-legged Gull (?), but otherwise the gray shoulder feathers with the narrow dark shaft line are good for the species at this time of year (more advanced than many Herrings). The tail pattern, however, is not conforming with any of the classic patterns of the three mentioned species. Actually, the combination of the fine black-and-white streaks within the broad tail band and the outer tail feathers with pure white bases are traits of Caspian and Yellow-legged, respectively. The tertials are well-worn and the white tips have been broad, it seems, also an indication of a mixed origin. The degree of paleness to the primary window is difficult to judge properly from these photos, I think. The outer webs of the inner primaries look all dark which is good for a Caspian, but compared with the Herring Gull in photo 8 (flying below, and which looked more normal in the field than the dark appearance here) it has a very pale window which should never be paler than on a Herring. Only came in when there was most turmoil caused by a feeder, and disappeared quickly again when the action was over. Uncertain |
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4979
(2 photos)
Same bird: 102
2023-02-26 Christianshavns vold og voldgrav, Denmark
Second calendar year. Ravelinen. Banded with white text on blue on right leg: V.NLO. Metal band on left leg. Uncertain |
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5045
(2 photos)
Same bird: 102
2023-03-10 Christianshavns vold og voldgrav, Denmark
Second calendar year. Ravelinen. Banded with white text on blue on right leg: V.NLO. Metal band on left leg. The tail coverts herring like, but the tail pattern with narrow black and white bars next to the broad dark tail band is good for Caspian. Uncertain |
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5101
(4 photos)
Same bird: 102
2023-03-27 Christianshavns vold og voldgrav, Denmark
Second calendar year. Banded with white text on blue on right leg: V.NLO. Metal band on left leg. Here the greater coverts and the tail pattern show clear indication of a Caspian being involved, as does the inner hand where the normally rather pale inner webs look more dusky but the feathers still showing the isolated dark tips known from Herring. No response from the bander yet, but I'm very close to just call it a hybrid Herring x Caspian. Uncertain |
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5598
(3 photos)
Same bird: 102
2024-01-22 Christianshavns vold og voldgrav, Denmark
Third calendar year. Banded with white text on blue on right leg: V.NLO. Metal band on left leg. What a strange bird. No sign of any adult type back feathers yet. Uncertain |