American Herring Gull (smithsonianus)

(last update: October 30, 2015)

Coordinators:
Amar Ayyash (US)
Bruce Mactavish (Canada)
Dave Brown (Canada)
Mars Muusse (Netherlands)

Herring Gull (argentatus) 1st cycle (1CY) December 12 2012, Peterhead, Scotland. Picture: Chris Gibbins.

Visit Chris's blog!

A dark bodied Herring Gull; dark bodied birds are not uncommon, but this bird is not only dark, but the dark tones are rather velvety, giving it a 'Neararctic feel', and contrasts with the pale head. Otherwise it is a normal Herring Gull (in terms of tail pattern etc).