ckn

7/12/2009
Nam Sang Wai

Appears to be Slaty-backed Gull, basing on the following features -
- Pink legs;
- Dark band on tail; and
- Thick bill.

Please correct me if I am wrong.  Thanks.

KN

[According to specialist Geoff, this bird should be Yellow-legged Gull (mongolicus).  Name amended.]

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Yellow-legged

[ Last edited by ckn at 18/12/2009 15:34 ]

cgeoff

This is a first-winter Larus (cachinnans) mongolicus (Yellow-legged Gull), and is probably the same as the second individual at the following link:

http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=9793&extra=page%3D1

The tail band is too narrow for Slaty-backed, on which it usually covers most of the tail. The overall colour of the bird is rather pale, which is not correct so early in the first winter.

While the bill is, as you say, quite large, so is that of mongolicus.

Good photos!

Geoff

ckn

Thanks Geoff.  

KN

cgeoff

Having looked at this again, I realise this is not mongolicus.

I think it's just a heuglini. The greater coverts are rather plain, and there is no prominent inner primary window.

The rather narrow tail band suggests that some vegae genes may by present.

GeoffC