Candidate Heuglin's Gull L heuglini

Heuglin's Gull - Larus heuglini

1-2: © Armin Deutsch, 00-05-99. Münster, Germany.

This bird has been accepted by the German RC as 2cy Heuglin's Gull. Indeed birds like this should be considered one of the most rewarding types that can be found in W Europe. The tail, secondaries and the inner primaries have been replaced; although it is difficult to judge, it appears that P8 is growing and P9-10 still are juvenile. Birds with such an advanced moult patterns are scarce, but they do occur in Russia, e.g. see this individual, which has replaced all primaries. The second generation inner primaries are pale grey with reduced dark markings, much like third generation primaries found in the western taxa (and unlike their generally dark grey to black second generation primaries). Note the resemblance with Caspian Gull: white head with streaking in the neck, white underparts and underwing and narrow tail bar.