Heuglin's Gull (L. heuglini / antelius)

(last update: 1-2-2011)

Coordinators:
Amir Ben Dov (Israel)
Chris Gibbins (Scotland)
Hannu Koskinen (Finland)
Mars Muusse (the Netherlands)

Heuglini 4cy, August 08 2002, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E)

The complete summer moult started recently. P1-P3 are fully grown, P4 is growing, P5 is missing and the outer primaries P6-P10 are still old third generation. P6-P10 are old, brownish with relatively small tips but the mirror on P10 is obvious. P7-P10 have much medial black. This individual is obvious paler grey than fuscus, almost matching local argentatus, only slightly darker so also much paler than average Swedish intermedius. Furthermore, it doesn't resemble much of intermedius, rather argentatus in jizz, heavily built, long and powerful head, long bill, and not compact. The general impression is that of a male.

The tail-feathers are white with delicate black spots; the legs are pale yellow to flesh; the orbital ring is orange-red; the gonydeal angle spot is orange. Note the pale iris and only very limited black on the bill.