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Variation in Icelandic European Herring Gulls |
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Five individuals showing range of
wingtip variation. Many birds suggest hybridization with Glaucous
Gulls. Heimaey in the Westman Islands just off the south coast of
Iceland on 28 June 2016. The Herring Gulls in Iceland are believed
to be Larus argentatus argenteus. Herring Gulls colonized
Iceland in the 1920s and now breed all over the island except in the
West Fjords and Breidafordur (Johann Oli Hilmarsson in Icelandic
Birding Guide 2011).
In Heimaey near where we docked was a
fish processing plant, which attracted gulls and Northern Fulmars.
It was a great opportunity to look for variation in the Herring
Gulls. I was on a Worldwide Quest tour of Iceland:
Please click link here. |
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Wingtip patterns often
suggest Kumlien's or Thayer's Gulls. Heimaey in the Westman Islands,
Iceland on 28 June 2016. |
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Two extremes in
wingtip patterns and pigmentation. Heimaey in the Westman Islands,
Iceland on 28 June 2016. |
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Yellow tinge to legs
and feet. Heimaey in the Westman Islands, Iceland on 28 June 2016.
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Pigmentation mainly on
outer webs. Heimaey in the Westman Islands, Iceland on 28 June 2016.
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Another with minimal
markings in the primaries. Heimaey in the Westman Islands, Iceland on 28 June 2016.
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Thayer's-like pattern
on 9th and 10th primaries. Heimaey in the Westman Islands, Iceland
on 28 June 2016. |
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More wingtip
variation. Heimaey in the Westman Islands, Iceland on 28 June 2016.
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Another variation in
wingtip pattern. Heimaey in the Westman Islands, Iceland on 28 June
2016. |
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More Herring Gull-like
primary pattern. Heimaey in the Westman Islands, Iceland on 28 June
2016. |
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Video of Icelandic Herring Gulls showing
wingtip variation flying around at Heimaey in Iceland |
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