Saturday, 23 October 2010

Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans), 4cy+, 20.10.2010, Lakolk Strand, Rømø

This big male-type Caspian Gull has almost complete white summer head and the small darkish eye is situated closer to the flat forehead than in argentatus. The bill is without pronounced gonys angle.

Most likely a 4th winter individual due to black marking in primary coverts, relative large dark spot on upper mandible, and reminisces of classic winter neck-boa this late in season, where adults are typically in complete summer plumage by now.

It is standing right behind the one with stretched wings in the left half of the photo

Preening in the middle of the photo. Just visible in this photo is the black marking on outer edge of p4, a massive black band on p5 and generally small white apical spots on primaries

It has a good cachinnans jizz with high push up breast, flat belly slightly dropped behind legs and long elongated slim rear. Additionally the upperparts are slightly darker than nearby argentatus

In the stretched wing the grey tongues on the outer primaries are obvious when seen from underneath and the black on primaries creates a classic cachinnans boomerang. The white apical spots are all relative small

Most likely a 4th winter individual due to black marking in primary coverts

Most likely a 4th winter individual due to relative large dark spot on upper mandible and reminisces of classic winter neck-boa this late in season, where adults are typically in complete summer plumage by now

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