These presumed Steppe Gulls (Larus (c.?)
barabensis) were photographed in Iran in late February/early
March 2000 by Philippe J. Dubois.These first images were
taken at Qeshm Island in the Straits of Hormoz (southernmost Iran);
the slightly paler mantle, blockier head, and larger P10 mirror
on the middle bird in this first photo pair all suggest that it
may be a nominate cachinnans:
The adult bird shows the extensive black on P8, a significant
black subterminal band on P4, and black in the primaries and shortish
thick bill all look good for barabensis:
These images are from Halileh/Bushehr Bay, on the central Gulf
coast, and may all be the same individual; it looks somewhat intermediate
in that the extensive black on P8, black on the primary coverts,
and extent of black on the underside on P10 all favor barabensis,
while the limited size of black on the outer web of P5 and tiny
black mark on P4, white crescents inside the black of P6 &
P5, plus the very large mirror on P10 (that is very close to the
tip) all favor cachinnnans:
