{"id":127582,"date":"2022-04-20T21:20:37","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T01:20:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/birdfinding.info\/?p=127582"},"modified":"2022-04-21T08:34:05","modified_gmt":"2022-04-21T12:34:05","slug":"steppe-gull","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/birdfinding.info\/steppe-gull\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\u00a9 irinyshka_y<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Birdfinding.info \u21d2<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 The southern form of Heuglin\u2019s Gull<\/strong> is locally common on its remote central Asian breeding grounds.\u00a0 From late August to late March, it is readily found at many coastal sites around the Persian Gulf, Oman, and western India, where it is often the predominant large gull.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Larus heuglini barabensis<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Family: Laridae<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Breeds on the central Asian steppes; winters along Indian Ocean coasts of southwestern Asia.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Approximate ranges of the forms classified within Lesser Black-backed and Heuglin\u2019s Gulls.\u00a0 \u00a9 Xeno-Canto 2022<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Breeding.<\/em><\/strong> \u00a0Nests on islands in lakes and rivers on the steppes of southwestern Siberia, northern Kazakhstan, and adjacent parts of southeastern Russia.\u00a0 Adults arrive on the breeding grounds in late March, and nest in April. \u00a0Chicks hatch in June, and the southbound migration occurs mainly during August.<\/p>

The main breeding areas are east of the Ural Mountains, but small numbers breed locally west of the Urals, at least occasionally as far west as Kirov and Tatarstan, where it may be expanding its breeding range.<\/p>

Nonbreeding.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 Winters mainly along coasts from the Persian Gulf and eastern Arabian Peninsula east to southwestern India.\u00a0 Smaller numbers winter along coasts of the Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean, south to Eritrea and Socotra, and east to\u00a0Thailand.<\/p>

The full extent of the \u201cSteppe Gull\u2019s\u201d winter distribution is incompletely understood due to difficulties in identification.\u00a0 Gulls that appear most similar to \u201cSteppes\u201d have been found annually wintering in South Korea, but its status there apparently remains unconfirmed.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Identification<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

A confusingly intermediate gull that resembles several other members of the Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gull complexes.\u00a0 Some authorities have suggested that it originated from hybridization of Heuglin\u2019s<\/strong> (heuglini<\/em>) with Caspian<\/strong> (cachinnans<\/em>) Gulls.\u00a0 \u201cSteppe\u201d is nearly identical to the nominate heuglini<\/em>, but with a paler mantle, and to the Armenian Gull<\/strong> (armenicus<\/em>), but with structural differences.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, in typical breeding plumage.\u00a0 (Ordynskiy Rayon, Novosibirsk, Russia; April 8, 2018.) \u00a0\u00a9 andreenkov<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Adult Plumages.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 Adults have a medium-gray mantle that is distinctly paler than other Lesser Black-backed or Heuglin\u2019s forms and usually somewhat darker than any of the Herring-type gulls.<\/p>

\u201cSteppe\u2019s\u201d wingtips are extensively black, usually with a white \u201cmirror\u201d near the tip of the outermost primary and a much smaller one on the next primary.\u00a0 The black on \u201cSteppe\u2019s\u201d wingtips typically forms a neat triangle on the spread wing, with two narrow gray tongues.<\/p>

The legs are yellow, vivid when breeding, often dull-yellow at other seasons.<\/p>

The bill is about average length and thickness among gulls of its size.\u00a0 In addition to a red spot, it often shows distinct black marks near the tip.\u00a0 These markings are usually weak or absent in peak breeding plumage, but are often noticeable at other seasons.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, in breeding plumage, showing typical coloration and wingtip pattern.\u00a0 (Ordynskiy Rayon, Novosibirsk, Russia; April 8, 2018.) \u00a0\u00a9 andreenkov<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, a notably pale-mantled individual in breeding plumage.\u00a0 (Burlinskiy Rayon, Altay, Russia; July 14, 2021.) \u00a0\u00a9 vladimir_maer<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Adult \u201cSteppes\u201d in winter typically show little if any dark streaking on the head or neck\u2014usually limited to a few fine streaks on the nape.\u00a0 As a result, the nonbreeding plumage does not differ noticeably from breeding plumage.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, a notably dark-mantled individual in breeding plumage.\u00a0 (Lake Tengiz, Aqmola, Kazakhstan; June 11, 2006.) \u00a0\u00a9 Nigel Voaden<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, third-winter, showing black ring near the tip of the bill and fine streaks on the nape.\u00a0 (Al Mouj, Mascat, Oman; November 3, 2021.) \u00a0\u00a9 Lars Petersson<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Immature Plumages.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 As in other Lesser Black-backed and Herring-type Gulls, juvenile \u201cSteppes\u201d are brown with bold spots on the mantle and wing coverts.\u00a0 The bold spots wear off between September and November, leaving the upperparts pale-brown or whitish-gray overall, with narrow chevrons and anchors on most first-winter and first-summer birds.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, juvenile.\u00a0 (Khor Kalba, Sharjah, U.A.E.; August 17, 2010.) \u00a0\u00a9 Tommy Pederson<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, juvenile.\u00a0 (Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.; October 13, 2020.) \u00a0\u00a9 Nikos Mavris<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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On the spread wing, first-year \u201cSteppes\u201d show blackish primaries, primary coverts, and secondaries.\u00a0 The inner primaries often appear somewhat paler than the other flight feathers, but this \u201cwindow\u201d effect is less pronounced than on Herring-type gulls.\u00a0 The coverts often show alternating pale and dark bars running the length of the wing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The tail feathers are mostly black, whereas the rump, uppertail coverts, and the bases of the outer tail feathers are mostly pale with sparse barring\u2014rapidly transitioning to white with little or no barring.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, second-winter.\u00a0 (Lake Man Sagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India; February 12, 2019.) \u00a0\u00a9 Michael Warner<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, likely third-winter.\u00a0 (Ameenpur Lake, Hyderabad, Sangareddy, Telangana, India; December 9, 2018.) \u00a0\u00a9 Bhaarat Vyas<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Subadult Plumages.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 By the second winter, most subadults closely resemble adults, but usually with black remaining in the tail, more extensive black on the primaries and primary coverts, and a pronounced black ring near the tip of the bill.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Notes<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Monotypic form, of unsettled status, but the apparently growing consensus is to classify it as one of three distinct forms of Heuglin\u2019s Gull <\/strong>(heuglini<\/em>).\u00a0 It has been alternatively classified as a form of the Caspian Gull<\/strong> (cachinnans<\/em>), and more closely resembles the Armenian Gull<\/strong> (armenicus<\/em>).<\/p>

The status of Heuglin\u2019s Gull as a species or subspecies group also remains unsettled, as it has traditionally been considered conspecific with the Lesser Black-backed Gull<\/strong> (fuscus<\/em>).<\/p>

See below for comparisons of the \u201cSteppe Gull\u201d with \u201cTaimyr\u201d, \u201cHeuglin\u2019s\u201d, Armenian, and Caspian Gulls.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Cf. \u201cTaimyr Gull\u201d<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 \u201cTaimyr\u201d and \u201cSteppe\u201d Gulls are both widely suspected of having descended from Heuglin\u2019s Gull through a history of hybridization with other populations\u2014Vega (vegae<\/em>) and Caspian (cachinnans<\/em>) Gulls, respectively.\u00a0 Both are difficult to identify with confidence outside of the core areas where each is known to occur regularly.\u00a0 In general, \u201cTaimyr\u201d breeds in the high arctic and winters along Pacific coasts of East Asia, whereas \u201cSteppe\u201d breeds in central Asia and winters along Indian Ocean coasts of southwestern Asia.\u00a0 They are not known to overlap, but both have sometimes been suspected of occurring on the other\u2019s wintering grounds, and records from Southeast Asia and Europe are difficult to evaluate without a geography-based presumption.<\/p>

Identification criteria for both \u201cTaimyr\u201d and \u201cSteppe\u201d remain imperfectly understood, but a few factors appear to be clear enough to be useful in resolving some ambiguous cases.<\/p>

Nonbreeding Adult Bill Pattern:<\/u>\u00a0 In winter, adult \u201cSteppe\u201d typically develops a partial black ring near the tip.\u00a0 This seems to be unknown in \u201cTaimyr\u201d, so its presence may be diagnostic of \u201cSteppe\u201d.<\/p>

Nonbreeding Adult Head Pattern:<\/u>\u00a0 In winter, adult \u201cTaimyrs\u201d typically develop dark streaks on the head and neck, mostly on the nape, but often a full necklace and sometimes on the head as well.\u00a0 \u201cSteppe\u201d rarely develops substantial streaking\u2014perhaps only in subadults or in the transition to definitive adult plumage (i.e., third- and fourth-winter plumages), and it is typically limited to fine streaks on the nape.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, in nonbreeding plumage, showing black ring near the tip of the bill and fine streaks on the nape.\u00a0 (Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.; November 14, 2019.) \u00a0\u00a9 Bird Explorers<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cTaimyr Gull\u201d, L. h. taimyrensis<\/em>\u2014a notably pale-mantled individual identified by the observer as taimyrensis<\/em>, early in the transition into nonbreeding plumage, with streaks beginning to appear on the head and no black on the bill.\u00a0 (Beppu, Oita, Kyushu, Japan; November 1, 2009.) \u00a0\u00a9 Ayuwat Jearwattanakanok<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Wingtip Pattern:<\/u>\u00a0 Although their wingtips probably do not differ consistently enough for reliable identification, one fairly consistent difference is the extent of their white \u201cmirrors.\u201d \u00a0\u201cTaimyr\u201d typically has a single white mirror near the tip of the outermost primary (P10), whereas \u201cSteppe\u201d usually has the P10 mirror plus a smaller white spot adjacent to it on the next primary (P9).<\/p>

Adult Mantle Color:<\/u>\u00a0 On average, \u201cTaimyr\u201d tends to appear darker-gray than \u201cSteppe\u201d; however, both vary enough internally that the overlap between them might effectively overwhelm the difference.<\/p>

Adult Leg Color:<\/u>\u00a0 \u201cSteppe\u201d has yellow legs.\u00a0 \u201cTaimyr\u2019s\u201d legs are usually yellow, but sometimes orangish and reportedly pink in some cases.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>\u2014judging from the black markings on the bill, and supported by the small white mirror spot on P9 and the lack of streaking on the head and neck.\u00a0 (Chao Phraya Shipping Channel, Samut Prakan, Thailand; January 26, 2022.) \u00a0\u00a9 Andaman Kaosung<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cTaimyr Gull\u201d, L. h. taimyrensis<\/em>, in nonbreeding plumage, showing heavy streaking on the nape and smudges on the head, lacking distinct black near the tip of the bill.\u00a0 (Aogu Wetlands and Forest Park, Dongshi, Chiayi, Taiwan; January 10, 2022.)\u00a0 Anonymous<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Molt-Stage:<\/u>\u00a0 \u201cSteppe\u201d arrives on its breeding grounds in late March and nests in April, whereas \u201cTaimyr\u201d arrives on its breeding grounds in late May and nests in June.\u00a0 The timing of their molts and the stages of seasonal feather-wear are therefore likely to differ by an average of about two months.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Cf. \u201cHeuglin\u2019s Gull\u201d.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 In recent decades, most gull experts have provisionally regarded \u201cSteppe\u201d (barabensis<\/em>) and \u201cHeuglin\u2019s\u201d (heuglini<\/em>) as distinct forms within a single species, either Heuglin\u2019s Gull or merged into the Lesser Black-backed Gull.\u00a0 They overlap widely, as \u201cHeuglin\u2019s\u201d regularly occurs in migration or winter throughout \u201cSteppe\u2019s\u201d range\u2014\u201cSteppe\u201d has a much smaller range and predominates within it.<\/p>

Adult Mantle Color:<\/u>\u00a0 Adult \u201cSteppe\u201d and \u201cHeuglin\u2019s\u201d share most features in common except that \u201cHeuglin\u2019s\u201d has a noticeably darker mantle.\u00a0 When they occur together, which they often do, the difference is usually distinct and sufficient to identify them.<\/p>

Apart from mantle-color, other differences observed between them appear to be slight, inconsistent, or questionable.<\/p>

Nonbreeding Adult Head Pattern:<\/u>\u00a0 In winter, adult \u201cHeuglin\u2019s\u201d typically develops a hood of dark streaks on the head and neck.\u00a0 The full extent of the streaking varies widely.\u00a0 It is almost always most pronounced on the nape, but usually extends around the neck and onto the head.\u00a0 \u201cSteppe\u201d rarely develops substantial streaking\u2014perhaps only in subadults or in the transition to definitive adult plumage (i.e., third- and fourth-winter plumages), and it is typically limited to fine streaks on the nape.<\/p>

Molt-Stage:<\/u>\u00a0 \u201cHeuglin\u2019s\u201d breeds on arctic tundra, whereas \u201cSteppe\u201d breeds at temperate latitudes approximately two months earlier, so \u201cHeuglin\u2019s\u201d typically molts later than \u201cSteppe\u201d, which may be helpful to the identification of some individuals.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Cf. Caspian Gull.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 Caspian and \u201cSteppe\u201d Gulls overlap widely across central and southwestern Asia, and are similar enough that they have often been regarded as conspecific\u2014in fact, the \u201cSteppe Gull\u201d may have originated in part from hybridization of Caspian and \u201cHeuglin\u2019s\u201d Gulls.\u00a0 Both Caspian and \u201cSteppe\u201d have medium-gray mantles, tend to have dark eyes, and often show a partial black ring near the tip of the bill.<\/p>

Most of the visual differences between them are subtle, and may be inconsistent.\u00a0 Caspian\u2019s mantle usually appears paler-gray and its wingtips usually have much less extensive black than on \u201cSteppe\u201d.\u00a0 When viewed in flight, \u201cSteppe\u2019s\u201d black wingtips typically appear to encompass the three outer primaries almost entirely, and a substantial portion of the next three, with a white dot or sliver at the extreme tip of each.\u00a0 The amount of black in Caspian\u2019s wingtips varies widely, but usually covers less of each feather: with gray tongues on the outer primaries and larger white spots at the tips.\u00a0 Many individual Caspians have remarkably large white mirrors at the outermost tips.<\/p>

The Caspian Gull differs subtly from other large gulls in having a proportionately long bill and thin head.\u00a0 In posture, it often appears lanky, extending its neck to hold its head high.\u00a0 Caspian\u2019s bill tends to appear paler, more greenish or grayish-yellow overall than other species\u2014but is more typically vivid-yellow when breeding.\u00a0 Its leg color often matches the bill, but is more variable: gray or pink in most immatures and some adults.\u00a0 Juvenile and other first-year Caspian Gulls tend to have whiter heads and bellies than most other large gulls.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Cf. Armenian Gull.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 Armenian and \u201cSteppe\u201d Gulls are extremely similar and sometimes occur together in winter and migration\u2014as small numbers of each apparently wander into one another\u2019s usual ranges.\u00a0 Both have yellow legs, often have dark eyes, and often show a partial black ring near the tip of the bill.\u00a0 Both have medium-gray mantles, and their adult wingtip patterns do not appear to differ consistently.<\/p>

The most consistent observable difference between Armenian and \u201cSteppe\u201d Gulls is bill shape.\u00a0 Armenian\u2019s bill is generally shorter and thicker than the bills of other large gulls, whereas the \u201cSteppe Gull\u2019s\u201d bill averages slightly longer and thinner than most.\u00a0 With a clear image of the bill in profile, most individuals should be identifiable as one or the other.<\/p>

Other differences are more subtle and less consistent, but may be useful in some cases.\u00a0 Armenian\u2019s mantle usually appears paler-gray\u2014enough to be noticeable in side-by-side comparison.\u00a0 Armenian\u2019s head tends to appear more rounded than other large gulls, whereas \u201cSteppe\u2019s\u201d head often appears somewhat flattened.\u00a0 Based on many available photos, Armenian\u2019s legs tend to be a richer shade of yellow, more orange, than \u201cSteppe\u2019s\u201d.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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More Images of the \u201cSteppe Gull\u201d<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, in breeding plumage.\u00a0 (Egor\u2019evskiy Rayon, Altay, Russia; April 8, 2022.) \u00a0\u00a9 vladimir_maer<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, nonbreeding adult and first-winter.\u00a0 (Al Sawadi, Al Batinah, Oman; January 24, 2016.) \u00a0\u00a9 Luis Mario Arce<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>.\u00a0 (Ordynskiy Rayon, Novosibirsk, Russia; April 8, 2018.) \u00a0\u00a9 andreenkov<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>.\u00a0 (Ordynskiy Rayon, Novosibirsk, Russia; April 8, 2018.) \u00a0\u00a9 andreenkov<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>.\u00a0 (Ras Shukeir Sewage Works, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Egypt; March 13, 2017.) \u00a0\u00a9 Alexandre Hespanhol Leit\u00e3o<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>.\u00a0 (Ordynskiy Rayon, Novosibirsk, Russia; June 7, 2015.) \u00a0\u00a9 andreenkov<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, first-winter.\u00a0 (Lake Man Sagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India; February 12, 2019.) \u00a0\u00a9 Michael Warner<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, first-winter.\u00a0 (Community Garden Park, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.; March 10, 2022.) \u00a0\u00a9 Nikos Mavris<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, second-winter.\u00a0 (Aqaba, Jordan; March 7, 2019.) \u00a0\u00a9 Lars Petersson<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cSteppe Gull\u201d, L. h.<\/em> barabensis<\/em>, second- or third-winter.\u00a0 (Vanakvara, Gir Somnath, Gujarat, India; December 16, 2013.) \u00a0\u00a9 Yeray Seminario<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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References<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Babbington, J. 2013. Large Gull ID Help. Birds of Saudi Arabia. https:\/\/www.birdsofsaudiarabia.com\/p\/large-gull-id.html<\/a>. (Accessed April 20, 2022.)<\/p>

eBird. 2022. eBird: An online database of bird distribution and abundance. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, N.Y. http:\/\/www.ebird.org<\/a>. (Accessed April 20, 2022.)<\/p>

Moores, N. 2005. Steppe Gull barabensis<\/em> in South Korea: A Step Closer To Identification? http:\/\/www.birdskorea.org\/Birds\/Identification\/ID_Notes\/BK-ID-Steppe-Gull.shtml<\/a>.<\/p>

Moores, N. 2011. Taimyr Gull Larus (heuglini) taimyrensis<\/em>: an Update. BirdsKorea. http:\/\/www.birdskorea.org\/Birds\/Identification\/ID_Notes\/BK-ID-Taimyr-Gull.shtml<\/a>.<\/p>

Olsen, K.M., and H. Larsson. 2003. Gulls of North America, Europe, and Asia<\/em>. Princeton University Press.<\/p>

Porter, R.F., S. Christensen, and P. Schiermacker-Hansen. 1996. Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East<\/em>. T & A D Poyser, London.<\/p>

Redman, R., T. Stevenson, T., and J. Fanshawe. 2009. Birds of the Horn of Africa: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, and Socotra<\/em>. Princeton University Press.<\/p>

Sinclair, I., and P. Ryan. 2003. Birds of Africa South of the Sahara<\/em>. Princeton University Press.<\/p>

Svensson, L., K. Mullarney, and D. Zetterstr\u00f6m. 2009. Birds of Europe (Second Edition).<\/em> Princeton University Press.<\/p>

Xeno-Canto. 2022. Lesser Black-backed Gull \u2013 Larus fuscus<\/em>, https:\/\/xeno-canto.org\/species\/Larus-fuscus<\/a>. (Accessed April 18, 2022.)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a9 irinyshka_y Birdfinding.info \u21d2\u00a0 The southern form of Heuglin\u2019s Gull is locally common on its remote central Asian breeding grounds.\u00a0 From late August to late March, it is readily found at many coastal sites around the Persian Gulf, Oman, and western India, where it is often the predominant large gull. \u201cSteppe Gull\u201d Larus heuglini barabensis 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