Adult
Heuglin's GullLarus heuglini
April 9th 2004
Sakawagawa-river Odawara Kanagawa Japan
Its primary pattern seems to be a little different from
that of most Heuglin's Gulls photographed in the Middle
East. Therefore, if we follow the taxonomy that considers taimyrensis
as invalid taxon, this might not be a good Heuglin's Gull.
But its dark mantle, overall structure and moult timing seem
very nice to suggest Heuglin's Gull. So I tentatively labeled this individual as
Heuglin's Gull here. All photos in this page capture the same
individual.
Note that the P10 is not yet
fully grown in spite of April 9th.
The primary projection beyond the tail is fairly long.
From left-rear to right-front: 2 adult Vega Gulls, the
Heuglin's Gull, a 3rd winter-summer Slaty-backed Gull.
The Heuglin's Gull in center with Vega Gulls. Note the dark
mantle.
The legs are yellowish, and obviously differ from pink legs
of Vega Gulls. But, it is not 'pure yellow' compared to Black-tailed
Gulls.
Black markings are limited to the range of P10-P5. And the P9
mirror is relatively large. This pattern obviously seems to
be in the minority of Heuglin's Gulls in the Middle East. It
might suggest that this individual belongs to eastern
populations than the Middle Eastern Heuglin's Gulls, though I
don't know exactly where it is.
