Hi Mark,

Yes, this is a Caspian Gull.

Do you have more pics about this bird?
Please send me.

Best Regards, Andras

Hello,

this is not a Caspian Gull. The bird is in 1st summer plumage. The bill seems to be extraordinary long fitting for Casian but I think it's so long due to problems of aberrant growing of the bill. The whole bird fits from plumage, plumage details, structure etc. perfectly for an Herring Gull. The only odd thing for a Herring seems to be the bill but as I said I think it's an aberrant bill (as you can find an other example in Malling-Olsen & Larsson) it's not too uncommen in large Gulls.

Regards,

Martin Gottschling

I agree with Martin - it´s not a Caspian Gull but a Herring with an aberrant bill, which might well develope into a normal one later in life.
Although 2cy LWHG at this time of year can be difficult to identify due to massive wear and several species more or less share plumage detailes. The scapulars are more Herring like though with obvious barring.
In Mark´s gull, without going into plumage features to much and ignoring the bill, headshape and large eye produce imo the "Herring fysionomy", not the gentle one of Caspian.

JanJ

Dear Colleagues,

I agree with your comments. I watched only the aberrant lower mandibule, but the upper is also aberrant!

Andras

Thanks for the confirmation. I always had Herring Gull in mind, but Thisted bird seemed slimmer with a smaller head than the other young Herring Gulls around, but I am also aware of the great variations. Again, thanks for the input.

Best Regards
Mark

Artsnavnet hermed rettet.

Mvh Rasmus Strack

Hi Mark,

A very strange looking gull but certainly a Herring Gull as Martin and Jan have so ably described.

Hope all is well.
Terry