KUMLIEN'S GULL Larus (glaucoides) kumlieni

Usually considered a subspecies of Iceland Gull, but taxonomists have been unable to decide. At one time it was thought to be a stable hybrid (Iceland x Thayer's), but Thayer's itself moves in and out of full species status with monotonous regularity. From a birders point of view they are three identifiable taxa, so? A regular winter visitor to Britain, its main breeding area is Baffin Island, Canada. Iceland Gull breeds further east generally but Kumlien's is becoming increasingly isolated.

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