ML307670181

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Structurally similar to Herring Gull, but many plumage features recall Lesser Black-backed. There are at least 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at this location and this individual is comparatively shorter winged and overall more bulky and similar in size to Herrings. The dark inner primaries are a feature shown by Lesser Black-backed but not by Herring. This bird's body plumage is much less solid brown than typical Herring and looks more similar to Lesser Black-backed. The undertail coverts, uppertail coverts and rump show more white than typical Herring. This hybrid combination was suggested by Amar Ayyash, Noah Arthur and Peter Adriaens. European Herring ('argenteus') was considered, but both Bruce Mactavish and Peter Adriaens felt it wasn't a good fit. The main issues being the limited amount of pale patterning to the greater secondary coverts and tail base as well as the dark outer webs of the inner primaries. While it is impossible to be sure this is in fact a Herring Gull x Lesser Black-backed Gull, it appears to be a very good candidate and should be included in eBird as such to be searchable to those interested in this hybrid combination.

Technical information

Model

NIKON D7000

Lens

300.0 mm f/4.0

ISO

220

Focal length

300 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/1250 sec

Dimensions

2678 pixels x 1767 pixels

Original file size

1.14 MB