Heuglin's Gull (L. heuglini / antelius)
(last update:
Heuglini 2cy, February 06 2008, Morjim Beach, Goa, India. Picture: Tom Tams.
See also Tom's website. Bird with a distinct collar and white head. Scapulars and most visible inner wing-coverts replaced (except the central greater coverts and outer coverts). All visible flight feathers still juvenile (P5-P10, rectrices, inner and central secondaries). Club-pattern on 2nd gen feathers. Bird slightly different from other individuals: central greater coverts very worn and 2nd gen coverts not extremely fresh. Late moult (fresh coverts in February) would indicate 2cy heuglini; here, barabensis could well be another option (although 'jizz' probably favours heuglini).
From the heuglini breeding sites on the Russian tundra, it is about 6.000 km south to reach Goa beach.
Below: estimated breeding distribution of Asian taxa (source: Liebers-Helbig et all, 2010).
