Heuglin's Gull (L. heuglini / antelius)
(last update:
Heuglini adult, July 12 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).
Features suggesting heuglini in these pictures are upper-parts grey-tone. Birds obvious paler than fuscus. Facial expression: slender bill with obvious gonydeal angle. General structure suggest female: pot-bellied bird, rounded head, different from the slender and 'elongated' look of fuscus.
Small mirror on P10, on both webs, relatively far from tip, no mirror on P9. Red spot confined to lower mandible.
One particular interesting bird, spending short visits to the dump and disappearing with full throat, suggesting that it might nest on one of the small isles in the direct surrounding.
General structure, especially head-shape and bill, not very reminiscent of cachinnans, which is often a good clue for heuglini. This kind of individuals at Tampere may also represent the paler end of fuscus (so not heuglini), or, considering the pot-bellied, short winged appearance, one may also argue this is the intermedius influence in core fuscus breeding area. Interestingly, in recent years, some ringed pullus within core fuscus area, turned out to be rather pale grey (near)adults.
