Unless stated otherwise, all of these pictures of Tundra/Siberian Gull Larus [f?] heuglini were taken by Martin Reid in Bahrain, March 4 - 10, 1999. All identification and aging is my own and must be considered tentative - especially for immatures. I use the term "Big Pale Heuglini" to refer to the small number of birds seen in Bahrain (and elsewhere in the Persian Gulf region) that used to be considered to be taimyrensis; compared to the normal Bahrain heuglinis these birds are generally paler, larger, longer-legged, show more flesh tones in the legs, have longer bills and more angular heads, and perhaps average a larger P10 mirror and more often have a small P9 mirror:-

:first-cycle (mostly) gulls from Bahrain in 1999 : added link 01/20/07

: probable first-basic (standing; flying); is this what young "Big Pale Heuglinis" look like?
: four 2nd-calendar-year types (standing; flying) from Finland in Spring/Summer - added 12/18/07.
: two 3rd-calendar-year types (standing; flying) from Finland in Spring/Summer - added 12/18/07.
: adult-basic (standing);
: adult-basic (flying);
: adult-basic (standing); could this be a "Big Pale Heuglini"?
: adult-basic (standing);
: adult-basic (standing);
: adult-basic (standing);
: adult-basic (standing);
: adult-alternate (standing, flying);
: adult-alternate (flying);
: adult-alternate (standing, flying); a possible "Big Pale Heuglini"?
: adult-basic (flying);
: adult-basic (standing);
: adult-basic/alternate (standing); bright yellow legs, with some head streaking
: adult-basic/alternate (standing); bright yellow legs, with some head streaking
: adult-basic/alternate (standing); a pale-eyed individual
: adult-basic (standing, flying);
: adult-basic (standing); with P9, P10 still growing
: adult-alternate (standing); eyes medium-pale
: adult-basic (standing, flying); with a heavily-worn tail
: adult-basic (standing); is this an adult or a subadult?
: adult-basic/alternate (standing); bright yellow legs; little head streaking
: adult-basic (flying); an unusual bird with twin mirrors and no black on P4
: adult-basic (standing); is this an adult or a subadult?
: subdult-basic (standing);
: subdult-basic (standing);
: subdult-basic (standing);
: subdult-basic (standing); is this an adult or a subadult?
: adult-basic/alternate (flying); with tiny P9 mirrors - added 06/19/00
: adult-basic/alternate(sitting); is this another "Big Pale Heuglini"? - added 06/19/00
: (sub)adult-basic/alternate(standing); yet another "Big Pale Heuglini"? - added 06/19/00
: adult-basic/alternate (standing); is this a "Big Pale Heuglini"?
: adult-alternate (standing); from northern Oman - looking like most Bahrain birds - added 06/04/00
: adult basic/alternates (standing); from eastern Oman - looking like "Big Pale Heuglini" - added 06/04/00
: a selection of imms. (standing); from eastern Oman - presumably "Big Pale Heuglini"? - added 06/04/00
: a selection of birds (standing, flying); from southern Iran in Feb/March - added 06/05/00
: adult/alternate(flying); is this a barabensis or a "Big Pale Heuglini"? - added 07/18/00
: adult/alternate(standing, flying); a candidate from the north slope of Alaska - added 08/21/04
: adult/alternate(standing); candidates from Bhutan and the north slope of Alaska - added 07/16/06