Caspian Gull

The Caspian gull is a large member of the herring-gull complex, measuring 56–68 cm and weighing 680–1,590 g, with a 137–155 cm wingspan. A long slender bill and a sloping forehead give it a distinctive profile; its neck, legs and wings are longer than those of the herring and yellow-legged gulls. The eye is small and often dark, the legs range from pale pink to yellowish, and the back is medium grey (Wikipedia, general species account).

It breeds from the Black and Caspian Seas east through Central Asia to north-western China, while some birds disperse south or west outside the breeding season. Nesting usually occurs on flat, low ground close to water, contrasting with the cliff nesting typical of yellow-legged gulls where the two overlap. First-winter birds show a pale head, darker streaking on the rear neck, pale underparts and two pale lines formed by whitish tips on the greater and median wing coverts (Wikipedia, general species account).