Herring
Gull - Zilvermeeuw (argentatus & argenteus)
(last update: 07 april 2004)
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Herring Gull H-119123 adult (argenteus), October 19 2002, Westkapelle, the Netherlands (51.33N-03.25E).
This adult is metal-ringed Bruxelles H-119123, ringed as 4cy+ on June 24 2001 at Berendrecht-Antwerpen, Belgium (51.21N 04.19E). The primary moult score: P7 slightly longer than P6. Note the very broad sub-terminal band on P5. A typical West-European argenteus, with obvious fine head streaking and the wing-covert moult completed. The tertials have been replaced as well.
From June (often mid-May in France, Belgium and the Netherlands) to October, a complete moult will bring birds in so-called "adult winter" plumage. A new set of primaries will grow during the summer months and by October, all the old primaries are shed in argenteus in the Netherlands and northern France. In adults, the new primaries are visible beneath the tertials. At the same time, the wing-covert moult is completed by the end of the month. In summer, the head is still largely white, but by September, most adults develop extensive 'winter streaking', in sub-adults strongly mottled brown contrasting with the white breast as in an executioner's hood. The scapular coverts are plain grey, lacking white crescents. The tertials show obvious white tips. The iris is yellow. The bill is yellow with a red gonydeal spot confined to the lower mandible. The orbital ring is yellow-orange in most argenteus.
