Back to
Caspian Gull
homepage

Larus pseudocachinnans

Here's a compilation of all those dark-eyed, small-headed, long-legged, long-winged types that are pitfalls for Caspian Gull. Some are obviously not cachinnans, others are more subtle. See what you make of them:

Above: Adult (Essex, 10 February 2012)

The adult bird above has the slender bodied, long thin-legged and small dark beady-eyed look of a Caspian. But the primary pattern looks wrong (what can be seen of it) as do those very pink legs.

Above: Adult (Essex, 21 January 2012)

The above images show a bird that is curiously like a Caspian; but that large flat head and pale eye have the feel of a 'Scandie' (L. a. argentatus). However, the black markings on both wings reach to P4, which is certainly unusual in a European Herring, northern or western.

Above: Dark-eyed Herring Gull (Essex, 07 January 2012)

Above: Dark-eyed Herring Gulls (Essex, 31 December 2011)

Above: Hybrid or genuine cachinnans? (Essex, 29 October 2011)

Above: Herring Gull? (Essex, 29 October 2011)

Above: Yellow-legged Gull? (Essex, 24 September 2011)

Above: Yellow-legged Gull (Essex, 23 July 2011)

Above: Adult Herring Gull (Essex, 12 February 2011)

Above: Adult Herring Gull (Essex, 12 February 2011)