Heuglin's Gull (L. heuglini / antelius)
(last update:
Taimyr Gull taimyrensis or Birula Gull Larus (vegae) birulai adult, November 14 2014, Kanto, Japan. Picture: Strix.
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Birds with vivid yellow legs and dark grey upperparts do occur in Japan in small numbers. Could such birds be overshooting taimyrensis, crossing the Japanese Sea? Should they be considered Birula Gulls? Birula Gull L. (vegae) birulai inhabit the region from western Yakutia and east to Kolyma delta, while Vega Gull L. vegae breed from east of Kolyma river to Chukchi peninsula.
The bird in this picture: built as in Vega Gull, with late moult, P5 fully grown and P8-P10 still old by mid November, streaking on head starting to appear and dark iris. Important is the coral red orbital ring, as Vega Gull tends to show a purple orbital ring.
