East Siberian Gull
Encyclopedia
The Vega Gull or East Siberian Gull, Larus vegae, is a large gull
of the Herring Gull/Lesser Black-backed Gull
complex which breeds in North-east Asia. Its classification is still controversial and uncertain. It is variously treated as a separate species, as a subspecies
of American Herring Gull
(L. smithsonianus) or included with both the American Herring Gull and European Herring Gull in L. argentatus. The Mongolian Gull, Larus (vegae?) mongolicus, has previously been regarded as a subspecies of the Caspian Gull
(L. cachinnans) but is now sometimes lumped with the Vega Gull.
. There are rarely any dark marks on the pale yellow bill.
Vega Gulls in the north-western part of their breeding range are paler above. They are sometimes considered to form a separate subspecies Larus vegae birulai (Birula's Gull).
The back and wings of the Mongolian Gull vary in colour. They are often medium grey similar to Birula's Gull but can be much darker. The head is mainly white all year round with only faint winter streaking. The legs are usually pink and the eye is usually pale with a red orbital ring. The bill is yellow with a large red spot and often with dark markings.
and winter in Japan
, Korea
, south and east China
and Taiwan
. They are regularly seen on St. Lawrence Island
and Nome
, Alaska
and may breed there. There are also records from other parts of western Alaska, and a few photo documented records from Washington and California
. In their winter range they are typically found in harbours, on rocky shores and at river mouths.
The Mongolian Gull nests in Mongolia
, neighbouring parts of Russia
(such as Lake Baikal
), north-east China (e.g. Lake Hulun
) and possibly South Korea
. It migrates south-east to winter in south and east China and Korea with small numbers reaching Japan. In South Korea it winters on inland waters more often than the Vega Gull.
Gull
Gulls are birds in the family Laridae. They are most closely related to the terns and only distantly related to auks, skimmers, and more distantly to the waders...
of the Herring Gull/Lesser Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
The Lesser Black-backed Gull is a large gull that breeds on the Atlantic coasts of Europe. It is migratory, wintering from the British Isles south to West Africa...
complex which breeds in North-east Asia. Its classification is still controversial and uncertain. It is variously treated as a separate species, as a subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of American Herring Gull
American Herring Gull
The American Herring Gull or Smithsonian Gull is a large gull which breeds in North America. It is often treated as a subspecies of the European Herring Gull but is now regarded as a separate species by some authorities.Adults are white with gray back and wings, black wingtips with white spots,...
(L. smithsonianus) or included with both the American Herring Gull and European Herring Gull in L. argentatus. The Mongolian Gull, Larus (vegae?) mongolicus, has previously been regarded as a subspecies of the Caspian Gull
Caspian Gull
Caspian Gull is a name applied to the gull taxon Larus cachinnans, a member of the Herring Gull/Lesser Black-backed Gull complex.- Description :...
(L. cachinnans) but is now sometimes lumped with the Vega Gull.
Description
The Vega Gull is similar to the Herring Gull but is slightly darker grey above. The head is heavily streaked with brown in winter, especially on the back and sides of the neck forming a collar. The legs are usually bright pink. Eye colour is variable but tends to be dark with a red orbital ringOrbital ring
An Orbital Ring is a concept for a space elevator that consists of a ring in low earth orbit that rotates at above orbital speed, that has fixed tethers hanging down to the ground.The structure is intended to be used for space launch....
. There are rarely any dark marks on the pale yellow bill.
Vega Gulls in the north-western part of their breeding range are paler above. They are sometimes considered to form a separate subspecies Larus vegae birulai (Birula's Gull).
The back and wings of the Mongolian Gull vary in colour. They are often medium grey similar to Birula's Gull but can be much darker. The head is mainly white all year round with only faint winter streaking. The legs are usually pink and the eye is usually pale with a red orbital ring. The bill is yellow with a large red spot and often with dark markings.
Distribution and habitat
Vega Gulls breed in north-east SiberiaSiberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
and winter in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, south and east China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. They are regularly seen on St. Lawrence Island
St. Lawrence Island
St. Lawrence Island is located west of mainland Alaska in the Bering Sea, just south of the Bering Strait, at about 63°30' North 173°20' West. The village of Gambell is located on the northwest cape, from the Chukchi Peninsula in the Russian Far East. The island is part of Alaska, but closer to...
and Nome
Nome
Nome may refer to:A country subdivision:* Nome an administrative division within ancient Egypt.* Nome , the administrative division immediately below the peripheries of Greece Places:* Nome, Norway* Nome, Alaska, US...
, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and may breed there. There are also records from other parts of western Alaska, and a few photo documented records from Washington and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. In their winter range they are typically found in harbours, on rocky shores and at river mouths.
The Mongolian Gull nests in Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
, neighbouring parts of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
(such as Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal is the world's oldest at 30 million years old and deepest lake with an average depth of 744.4 metres.Located in the south of the Russian region of Siberia, between Irkutsk Oblast to the northwest and the Buryat Republic to the southeast, it is the most voluminous freshwater lake in the...
), north-east China (e.g. Lake Hulun
Lake Hulun
Hulun Lake , is a lake in Inner Mongolia, China. It is one of the five largest freshwater lakes in all of China, covering approximately 2,339 km²....
) and possibly South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. It migrates south-east to winter in south and east China and Korea with small numbers reaching Japan. In South Korea it winters on inland waters more often than the Vega Gull.
External links
- Mongolian Gull photos, Japanese Gull-Site
- The "Herring Gull" Assemblage in South Korea, Birding Korea
- Vega Gull photos, Japanese Gull-Site