Larus cachinnans

(last update: February 16, 2013)

Coordinator:
Greg Neubauer
Marcin Przymencki
Albert de Jong
Mars Muusse

Home

cachinnans plumages

Larus cachinnans? adult, March 02 2012, Ashdod, Israel. Picture: Amir Ben Dov.

Probably eastern cachinnans or barabensis (~intergrade): on underside P10, no pale tongue visible, instead: more black than white in P10 (medial band much broader than white tip). Also full broad subterminal band on P10 very rare in western cachinnans. Only tiny mirror on P9. Peppered iris. It seems (but sometimes difficult from images!) a rather dark backed bird, in fact too dark for cachinnans, almost approaching heuglini, but be aware of clouded conditions (bird casts no shadow).