Presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) in Grenaa Harbour

This presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) was photograped in Grenaa Harbour on Djursland in Denmark on 14 February 2013. I use the word "presumed" because one can never be sure of the exact lineage of a hybrid without having direct information on the parents.

It attracted my attention because of its dark-grey plumage which was much darker than the European Herring Gulls but at the same time much lighter than the intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull we normally see (rare in winter) and even paler tan the odd graellsii-types that we more rarely see than intermedius . The graellsii-type is also rare in winter.

The possibility of it being a hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull x European Herring Gull, seems to be the best fit because it was much darker grey compared to local Herring Gulls and lighter than Lesser Black-backed Gulls, it showed distinct pink-tinged legs with pink feet, it appeared to have an argentatus-yellow orbital ring, a distinct black spots on outer web of primary P5, no black on P4 and P3, and a broad white trailing edge to secondaries as in Lesser Black-backed Gull and finally a Herring Gull JIZZ with short primary projection. In other words, it showed mixed characters of both species.

Presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) at Fjellerup Strand

This presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) was photograped at Fjellerup Strand on Djursland in Denmark on 18 December 2010. I use the word "presumed" because one can never be sure of the exact lineage of a hybrid without having direct information on the parents.

It attracted my attention because of its dark-grey plumage which was much darker than the European Herring Gulls but at the same time much lighter than the intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull we normally see (rare in winter) and even paler tan the odd graellsii-types that we more rarely see than intermedius . The graellsii-type is also rare in winter.

The possibility of it being a hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull x European Herring Gull, seems to be the best fit because it was much darker grey compared to local Herring Gulls and lighter than Lesser Black-backed Gulls, it showed distinct pink-tinged legs with pink feet, it appeared to have an argentatus-yellow orbital ring, no distinct black spots on primary P5, P4 and P3, rather dark underside to primaries and a broad white trailing edge to secondaries as in Lesser Black-backed Gull and finally a Herring Gull JIZZ with short primary projection. In other words, it showed mixed characters of both species.

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) with reduced pigmentation seen in Feldballe

Some of these pale type Herring Gulls can recall birds labelled as hybrid hyperboreus x argentatus (Viking Gull), but as this individual lacks a clear influence from Glaucous Gull when it comes to the pattern on each feather, is is considered to be European Herring Gulls with reduced or aberrant pigmentation.

It was seen on April 6, 2014.