Heuglin's Gull (L. heuglini / antelius)
(last update:
Heuglini sub-adult, February 06 2008, Morjim Beach, Goa, India. Picture: Tom Tams.
See also Tom's website. P8 fully grown. In general very much in adult plumage, but very broad bill-band indication for immaturity. Greater primary coverts (pattern should clarify age) not visible in this image. Late moult in combination with slate grey upperparts typical for heuglini, although exact tone of grey difficult to determine from images. Alternative would be barabensis, breeding taxon from the Novosibirsk steppe.
From the heuglini breeding sites on the Russian tundra, it is about 6.000 km south to reach Goa beach.
Below: estimated breeding distribution of Asian taxa (source: Liebers-Helbig et all, 2010).
