Larus cachinnans

(last update: February 16, 2013)

Coordinator:
Greg Neubauer
Marcin Przymencki
Albert de Jong
Mars Muusse

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cachinnans plumages

Larus argentatus sensu lato 3P70 adult, May 02 2014 - April 20 2015, Zastów Karczmiski, Poland. Picture: Łukasz Bednarz ringing team.

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Location: Zastów Karczmiski, Poland - colony at the banks of the Middle Vistula river.
In 2004 240 breeding pairs (95% cachinnans, <5% argentatus). (Ornis Fennica 2011 88, 80-89) and in 2012 592 pairs (90% cachinnans, <10% hybrid / argentatus) and possibly Larus michahellis (pers comm. Łukasz Bednarz).

Middle Vistule river is a location where several taxa breed: see composition. Since this is a mixed breeding population where hybridisation is not uncommon, the ringing centre in Poland decided to label birds "Larus argentatus sensu lato". Still bulk of the breeding birds in Middle Vistula region show features of cachinnans.

below: Larus argentatus sensu lato 3P70 adult, April 20 2015, Zastów Karczmiski, Poland. Picture: Łukasz Bednarz ringing team.

In all respects yellow-legged Herring Gull Larus argentatus. Note bill shape.

below: Larus argentatus sensu lato 3P70 adult, January 11 2015, Pulawy, Poland. Picture: Łukasz Bednarz.

In all respects Herring Gull Larus argentatus with streaking on head in winter.

below: Larus argentatus sensu lato 3P70 adult, May 02 2014, Zastów Karczmiski, Poland. Picture: Łukasz Bednarz ringing team.

Breeding bird trapped at the nest. In all respects Herring Gull Larus argentatus.
Adult, with no speckling in iris.
Yellow orbital ring and gape. No red on upper mandible; no black on the upper nor on lower mandible. Pale yellow legs.
Short tongue on P10, full band on P5; no black spot on P4. P1 still present, PMS=0.