caspian Gull clincher ?

[Shrike]

I notice that caspian Gulls are leggier than Herring's but i keep reading that the clincher is the underwing , does anybody know what it is that's different from the underwing of Herring /YLG ?

[Adam Cheeseman]

I go by head shape and features.

Cheers,

Adam

[Jonners]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

I go by head shape and features.

Cheers,

Adam

For those of us who don't know, what head shape and features are your good id pointers?

Thanks

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Shrike

I notice that caspian Gulls are leggier than Herring's but i keep reading that the clincher is the underwing , does anybody know what it is that's different from the underwing of Herring /YLG ?

The underwing is a feature that is only useful for 1st winters. 1st winter Caspian Gulls have a largely pale underwing, while on other species the underwing is largely dark. As they mature the dark underwings will gradually become paler as the dark feathers are replaced.

Originally Posted by Jonners

For those of us who don't know, what head shape and features are your good id pointers?

Thanks

Caspian Gulls tend to have a more sloping forehead than other gull species (though not always), typically lack a noticeable "gonydeal" angle on the bill, and tend to have a darker eye than other species as adults. The head also tends to be much whiter than that of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls during the winter (similar to nominate Yellow-legged Gulls).

Caspian Gull ID isn't really something that can easily be described in short forum posts though!

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by RoyW

The underwing is a feature that is only useful for 1st winters. 1st winter Caspian Gulls have a largely pale underwing, while on other species the underwing is largely dark. As they mature the dark underwings will gradually become paler as the dark feathers are replaced.



Caspian Gulls tend to have a more sloping forehead than other gull species (though not always), typically lack a noticeable "gonydeal" angle on the bill, and tend to have a darker eye than other species as adults. The head also tends to be much whiter than that of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls during the winter (similar to nominate Yellow-legged Gulls).

Caspian Gull ID isn't really something that can easily be described in short forum posts though!

In addition the bill appears longer and more parallel sided than a Herring Gull.
The eye also appears smaller, making it look beady-eyed. The head is large looking and the sloping of the forehead is obvious in all ages.

Cheers,

Adam

[Shrike]

Thanks for the tips , they're regularly reported on a site near me adjacent to a working landfill site so i need all the gen i can find if i'm gonna nail one

[Jonners]

Thank you Roy and Adam - that's really useful and helpful info

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Shrike

Thanks for the tips , they're regularly reported on a site near me adjacent to a working landfill site so i need all the gen i can find if i'm gonna nail one

I echo what Roy has said about it being hard to explain on a forum, unless you have an hour spare, a lot of patience and are very good at explaining things.

My advice, without knowing your level of gull identification knowledge, is to learn all of the common gull species in their different plumages and then when interesting birds turn up they will stick out more. You will also get a feel for structure, size and colour of the common species. The larger Larus species can be a challenge due to races and large differences in age plumages.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

In addition the bill appears longer and more parallel sided than a Herring Gull.
The eye also appears smaller, making it look beady-eyed. The head is large looking and the sloping of the forehead is obvious in all ages.

Cheers,

Adam

Agree with most of this apart from the head which proportionally seems smaller than comparable Herring Gulls + usually with a small dark eye. At rest often quite upright stance, but depends on posture. Also quite rangy with long bill as described by others with little gonys showing, long legs + wings.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Agree with most of this apart from the head which proportionally seems smaller than comparable Herring Gulls + usually with a small dark eye. At rest often quite upright stance, but depends on posture. Also quite rangy with long bill as described by others with little gonys showing, long legs + wings.

Sorry, I meant that for Caspos the head looks large, not in comparison to Herrings.

Cheers,

Adam