Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii) 30 July 2018. Reykjavík--Tjörnin pond, Höfuðborgarsvæði, IS
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii)

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii)
This is an adult in breeding plumage showing yellow legs, and pale eye with reddish orange orbital ring. Iceland breeders are the relatively pale-mantled L. f. graelesii which winters south to West Africa. The large white mirror on p10 and broad red spot on the lower mandible help distinguish this bird from L. f. heuglini of northwest Russia and adjacent Finland and which is split as a different species by some authors. Canon SX50 HS PowerShot.

References:

Burger, J., Gochfeld, M., Kirwan, G.M., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (2018). Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/53986 on 25 September 2018).

Collinson, J.M., Parkin, D.T., Knox, A.G., Sangster, G. & Svensson, L. (2008) Species boundaries in the Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull complex. Brit. Birds 101(7): 340–363.

Howell, S.N.G. & Dunn, J.L. (2007) Gulls of the Americas. Houghton Mifflin, Boston.

Malling Olsen, K. & Larsson, H. (2003) Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America. Christopher Helm, London.
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