Presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) on Mandø

This presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) was photograped on Mandø in the Danish Wadden Sea on 27 October 2011. It attracted my attention because of its dark-grey upperparts which were much darker than on the nearby European Herring Gulls but at the same time the bird was not a Lesser Black-backed Gull.

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 it showed distinct pink-tinged legs, 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. In other words, it showed mixed characters of both species.

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.

Presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) in Aarhus Harbour in 2011

This presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) was photograped in Aarhus Harbour on 11 January 2011.

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 a Herring Gull JIZZ with short primary projection and thus not a Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) in Aarhus Harbour in 2010

This presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) was photograped in Aarhus Harbour on 3 December 2010. It immediately attracted my attention because of its dark-grey upperparts which were much darker than on the nearby European Herring Gulls, but at the same time the bird was not a Lesser Black-backed Gull.

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 a Herring Gull JIZZ with short primary projection.

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

This presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) was photograped at Egens Havhuse in Kalø Vig on 27 October 2009. It immediately attracted my attention because of its dark-grey upperparts which were much darker than on the nearby European Herring Gulls but at the same time the bird was not a Lesser Black-backed Gull.

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 it showed distinct pink-tinged legs, 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.