Herring Gull (argentatus & argenteus)

(last update: February 11, 2013)

Common Gull kamtschatschensis? 2nd cycle (3CY), January 28 2012, Zhuanghe, China (39,05N, 121,39E). Picture: Terry Townsend.

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Either kamtschatschensis or heinei. Large stocky bird with stronger bill than Common Gull canus. Plumage seems to appear somewhat retarded compared to ssp heinei: still black markings in tail and on several secondary centres. Extensively brown in greater primary coverts. Many coverts have brownish fringes, which is common in second winter kamtschatschensis (but is also possible in heinei).