Thursday 22 January 2015

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) with much white in primaries

This Herring Gull was seen in Hanstholm Harbour on 30 December 2013. It has a primary pattern which reminds of what is seen in some birds labelled as hybrid hyperboreus x argentatus (Viking Gull), but as it lacks a clear influence from Glaucous Gull other than in the outer primaries, it is considered to be European Herring Gulls with reduced or aberrant pigmentation.

Note the distinct thayeri pattern on P9 on the adult-type Herring Gull in the front 

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