Steppe Gull - barabensis

(last update: 8-9-2014 )

Coordinator:
Mars Muusse (Netherlands)

barabensis 1CY July
barabensis 1CY Aug
barabensis 1CY Oct
barabensis 1CY Nov

barabensis 2CY Jan
barabensis 2CY Febr
barabensis 2CY March
barabensis 2CY July
barabensis 2CY Nov

barabensis 3CY June
barabensis 3CY Nov

barabensis sub-ad Jan
barabensis sub-ad June
barabensis sub-ad Nov

barabensis ad Jan
barabensis ad March
barabensis ad May
barabensis ad June
barabensis ad July
barabensis ad Nov
barabensis ad Dec

cachinnans-type 2CY, February 27 2001, Ashkar harbour, Bahrain.

Barabensis 1st winter or cachinnans.

Half of the median coverts and the inner greater and lesser coverts are moulted to 2^nd generation feathers, which have a pale base and a double anchor pattern. A small fringe seems to be present, so probably these feathers are recently moulted. Second and third tertial moulted to 2^nd generation. Last moulted scapulars are plain pale grey. Both barabensis and cachinnans might share these features. Tail juvenile. The general bulky appearance, elongated facial expression, “fat vent” and high-breasted posture might indicate cachinnans. However, this individual and some resembling this one, are not very long-winged and don’t have obvious long tibia (somewhat recalling Ivory Gull – sounds weird in Bahrain I guess...).