Mew Gull Larus canus canus; heinei; kamtschatschensis; brachyrhynchus

(last update: March 12, 2012)

Mew Gull canus 2cy, January 02 2011, Leiden, The Netherlands. Picture: Maarten van Kleinwee.

Second-calendar year Mew Gull in first-winter (pre-basic, first cycle) plumage. The breast-pattern of first-cycle Mew Gulls is quite variable: from pure white, dark-patterned flanks, to fully-dark breast and flanks as shown in this individual. The dark barring extends to the hind neck, and dark striping is also present on the top of the head. Note also the dark ear coverts which contrast with the pure-white throat. The bill is fleshy-pink with a black tip. Almost all of the mantle feathers and scapulars have been replaced by adult-looking, second generation grey feathers, whereas all the wing coverts, tertials, primaries and secondaries are still first-generation feathers.

The breast-pattern of first-cycle Mew Gulls is quite variable: from pure white, dark-patterned flanks, to fully-dark breast and flanks as shown in this individual. The dark barring extends to the hind neck, and dark striping is also present on the top of the head.

The bill is fleshy-pink with a black tip. The underwing gives an overall light appearance due to the white coverts and axillaries with dark tips. This pattern is indicative of subspecies L. c. canus.