American Herring Gull (smithsonianus)

(last update: October 30, 2015)

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

putative American Herring Gull (smithsonianus) adult, Azores, February 2003. Picture: Peter Alfrey.

An example of a very good candidate in the Western Palearctic. Note the pale grey upperparts, flat
crown, long and parallel-sided bill, noticeably small orange gonys spot, greenish tinge to bill base, retained streaking on the lower hindneck and breast-sides, and the dusky smudge in front of the eye.

Discussion on Bird Forum: here.