Herring Gull- Zilvermeeuw (argentatus & argenteus)

(last update: December 15, 2011 )

Coordinators:
Jean-Michel Sauvage (France)
Mars Muusse (the Netherlands)

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Herring Gull plumages:

hg 1cy July
hg 1cy August
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hg 2cy January
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Herring Gull - 2cy August

Introduction

This website deals with the Herring Gulls of the taxa argentatus and argenteus. Argenteus is an abundant breeding species on Iceland, Britain, NW France, Belgium, the Netherlands and N Germany. The taxon argentatus breeds in NE Europe, from Denmark, the coast of the Baltic Sea, Scandinavia and coast of the White Sea. In the centre of the breeding range (Denmark and the NW German coast), birds show intermediate characteristics, indicating there is a cline in argenteus-argentatus. Argenteus in Western Europe is pale-backed, slightly smaller and with relatively much black in the wing-tip; argentatus in the NE Europe is larger, slightly darker on upper-parts and show less black in the wing-tip.
Due to the large breeding range, there is much intra-specific variation in argentatus, with most large, powerful birds in the northern populations, showing the most darkest upper-parts, longest wing and most white in the outer-wing. In this region, some populations may hold substantial number of yellow-legged argentatus. (referred to as "Finnmark yellow-legged argentatus"). In adult plumage, the black sub-terminal spot on P5 is often lacking or strongly reduced to a diffuse streak, broken at the centre. Sometimes P6 lacks black as well. 
In the Baltic region, other yellow-legged argentatus populations occur ("Baltic yellow-legged argentatus"), with adults showing even brighter yellow legs in summer and the upper-parts only slightly darker than West European argenteus, still much paler than Yellow-legged Gull (michahellis). Those Baltic argentatus often show a black sub-terminal spot on P5 in adult plumage.
On these web-pages, we largely follow P.J. Grant: "Gulls, a guide to identification" and E.K Barth's publication as Contribution No. 86, Zoological Museum, University of Oslo: "The circumpolar systematics of Larus argentatus and Larus fuscus with special reference to the Norwegian populations".

   

Tables:

Primary moult score of 2cy Herring Gull, at Boulogne/Mer, NW France (50.43N, 01.37E) on August 08 2003.
. P5 fg P6 fg P7 fg P8 fg n:
P8-P10 1 1 - - 2
P9-P10 - 11 2 - 13
P10 old - 4 28 - 32
no old P - - 17 5 22
n: 1 16 47 5 69
old primaries: m = 0.9, SD = 0.79, n = 69.
new primaries: m = 6.8, SD = 0.58, n = 69.
Aggregated survey at 'Roro parking' & Portel beach. Probably vast majority argenteus.
P6-P10 = P6-P10 are still old and present.
? fg = fully grown not known. Fully grown primary score most probably P6 or less.
fg = fully grown. In our field surveys, a primary is 'fully grown' when it exceeds the previous feather in the folded wing. Actually,  such 'fully grown' feathers may have to grow a little, but under field circumstances, it's very difficult to find out if the waxy sheath, which is the standard measurement for fully grown primaries, is still present. 

In the table below, the primary moult scores of 2cy August argentatus in Finland can be read:

2cy argentatus in August, Tampere landfill, Finland, August 10 2002, 10:00-12:00 h.
 . P5 new P6 new P7 new P8 new total old:
P9 old 1 8 8 - 17
P10 old - 15 42 2 59
no old - - 59 4 63
total new: 1 23 109 6 139
old primaries: m = 0.7, SD = 0.69, n = 139.
new primaries: m = 6.9, SD = 0.47, n = 139.

 

 

 

rings argenteus: U.K.
adult argenteus in October, ringed in the Netherlands. (79042 bytes)Herring Gull AD9.T 2cy (argenteus), August 28 2009, Westkapelle, the Netherlands. Also as 3cy.
2cy argentatus in August, ringed in Britain. (66743 bytes)Herring Gull 1L5 2cy (argenteus), August 08 2003, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N, 1.34E).
rings argenteus: France
Herring GullHerring Gull M2A, 2cy (argenteus), August 04 2008, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E). Picture: J-M Sauvage.
Herring GullHerring Gull M3A, 2cy (argenteus), August 05 2008, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E). Picture: J-M Sauvage.
rings argenteus: Belgium
1cy argenteus in November, ringed in Belgium. (25637 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) CRAB 2CY & 4CY, August 2009 & May 2011, Westkapelle & Oostende. Picture: Theo Muusse & Peter Adriaens. 
3cy argenteus in March, ringed in Belgium. (61218 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) CUAK 2CY-3CY, February - August 2010 & January - May 2011, Koksijde, Belgium. Picture: Peter Adriaens.
1cy argenteus in November, ringed in Belgium. (25637 bytes)Herring Gull GNAZ 2cy (argenteus), August 22 2008, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E). Picture: J-M Sauvage.
3cy argenteus in March, ringed in Belgium. (61218 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) MBAB 2CY, August 21 2010, Nieuwpoort, Belgium. Picture: Peter Adriaens. 
1cy argenteus in November, ringed in Belgium. (25637 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) MV.AM 2CY, August 19 2010, Westkapelle, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90675 bytes)Herring Gull H-124149 2cy (argenteus), August 10 2003, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N, 1.34E).
2cy argentatus in August, ringed in Belgium. (77765 bytes)Herring Gull H-124345 2cy (argenteus), August 08 2003, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N, 1.34E).
Herring GullHerring Gull (argenteus) BLB H-154486 2CY, August 24 2010, Westkapelle, the Netherlands.
Herring GullHerring Gull (argenteus) H-161201 2CY, August 26 2010, Westkapelle, the Netherlands.
Herring GullHerring Gull (argenteus) H-161235 2CY, August 02 2010, Westkapelle, the Netherlands.
adult argenteus in October, ringed in Belgium. (60142 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) H-161237 2CY-3CY, August 2010 - September 2011, Westkapelle, the Netherlands. Pictures: Maarten van Kleinwee & Theo Muusse.
adult argenteus in October, ringed in Belgium. (60142 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) H-164486 2CY, August 12 2010, Westkapelle, the Netherlands.
adult argenteus in October, ringed in Belgium. (60142 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) H-167561 2CY, August 12 2010, Westkapelle, the Netherlands.
rings argenteus: Netherlands
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) 0|9 2CY, August 15 2019, Brouwersdam, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull argenteus J|4 1CY-2CY, October 2018 & August 2119, Noordwijkerhout & IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull argenteus L|T 2CY, August 07 2019, IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
1cy argenteus in November, ringed in Belgium. (25637 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) A||V 1CY-2CY, October 2016 - September 2017, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
3cy argenteus in January, ringed in the Netherlands. (68274 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) 5.1 2CY, August 16-20 2015, IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
Herring GullHerring Gull (argenteus) 0.N 1CY-2CY, October 2015 - August 2016, Scheveningen & IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
3cy argenteus in January, ringed in the Netherlands. (68274 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) 5T 2cy, August 28 2008, IJmuiden, the Netherlands (52.27N 04.33E).
2cy argenteus in February, ringed in the Netherlands. (27385 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) 5W 2cy, August 04 2008, Boulogne/Mer, France. Photo: J-M Sauvage.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) Y.CRF 1CY-2CY, August - September 2018 & June - August 2019, IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) K.AZV 1CY-5CY, November 2013 - May 2017, the Netherlands.
2cy argenteus in February, ringed in the Netherlands. (27385 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) K.BMF 2CY, August 21 2015, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
3cy argenteus in January, ringed in the Netherlands. (68274 bytes)Herring Gull 5.352.835 2cy (argenteus), August 14 2008, IJmuiden, the Netherlands (52.27N 04.33E).
3cy argenteus in January, ringed in the Netherlands. (68274 bytes)Herring Gull 5.417.498 2cy (argenteus), August 20 2008, IJmuiden, the Netherlands (52.27N 04.33E).
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) NLA 5.424.868 2CY, August 10 2009, IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
3cy argenteus in January, ringed in the Netherlands. (68274 bytes)Herring Gull 5.426.540 2cy (argenteus), August 2-19 2010, Westkapelle, the Netherlands.
3cy argenteus in January, ringed in the Netherlands. (68274 bytes)Herring Gull 5.426.594 2cy (argenteus), August 30 2010, Westkapelle, the Netherlands.
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull 5.429.2762cy (argenteus), August 14 2011, IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
2cy argenteus in July, ringed in the Netherlands. (103953 bytes)Herring Gull 5.463.318 2cy (argenteus), August-September 2011, IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
2cy argenteus in July, ringed in the Netherlands. (103953 bytes)Herring Gull 5.463.321 2cy (argenteus), August 14 2011, IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
2cy argenteus in July, ringed in the Netherlands. (103953 bytes)Herring Gull 5.463.334 2cy (argenteus), August 07 2011, IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
1cy argenteus in September (65624 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) NLA 6.169.883 2CY & 5CY, July - August 2013 & May 2016, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
1cy argenteus in September (65624 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) NLA 6175969 2CY, April & August-December 2015, NW France & the Netherlands. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage, Merijn Loeve & Mars Muusse.
rings argentatus: Germany
1cy argenteus in November, ringed in Belgium. (25637 bytes)Herring Gull argentatus HN35C 2CY, August 20 2016, IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
1cy argenteus in November, ringed in Belgium. (25637 bytes)Herring Gull H522 2cy (argentatus), August 12 2011, Barneveld, the Netherlands.
rings argentatus: Denmark
1cy argenteus in November, ringed in Belgium. (25637 bytes)Herring Gull (argentatus) DKC 4408896 2CY, August - September 2016, Brouwersdam, the Netherlands.
rings argentatus: Poland
2cy argentatus in August, ringed in Poland. (61644 bytes)Herring Gull DN-12962 2cy (argentatus), August 12 2002, Tampere, Finland (61.31N, 23.43E).
rings argentatus: Finland
Herring Gull argentatus C5N03 2CY, April - September 2007, Tampere dump, Finland. Picture: Visa Rauste.
2cy argentatus in August, ringed in Finland. (68494 bytes)Herring Gull C044U 2cy (argentatus), August 09 2002, Tampere, Finland (61.31N, 23.43E).
2cy argentatus in August, ringed in Finland. (60222 bytes)Herring Gull C527R 2cy (argentatus), August 11 2002, Tampere, Finland (61.31N, 23.43E).
2cy argentatus in August, ringed in Finland. (66477 bytes)Herring Gull C528J 2cy (argentatus), August 11 2002, Tampere, Finland (61.31N, 23.43E).
2cy argentatus in August, ringed in Finland. (60424 bytes)Herring Gull C7J68 2cy (argentatus), August 06 2002, Tampere, Finland (61.31N, 23.43E).
2cy argentatus in August, ringed in Finland. (55072 bytes)Herring Gull C4K91 2cy (argentatus), August 06 2002, Tampere, Finland (61.31N, 23.43E).
2cy argentatus in August, ringed in Finland. (77213 bytes)Herring Gull HT-230858 2cy (argentatus), August 07 2002, Tampere, Finland (61.31N, 23.43E).
2cy argentatus in August, ringed in Finland. (66758 bytes) Herring Gull HT-xxx 2cy (argentatus), August 06 2002, Tampere, Finland (61.31N, 23.43E).
unringed 2cy Herring Gulls
Herring GullHerring Gull 2cy (argenteus), August 20 2012, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Herring GullHerring Gull 2cy (argenteus), August 29 2012, IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
Herring GullHerring Gull (argenteus) 2cy, August 21 2012, Noordwijk, the Netherlands. P8 fully grown.
Herring GullHerring Gull (argenteus) 2cy, August 21 2012, Noordwijk, the Netherlands. P8 fully grown.
Herring GullHerring Gull 2cy (argenteus), August 29 2012, IJmuiden, the Netherlands. P8 fully grown. Secondary moult halfway, outer rectrices growing.
2cy argenteus in August. (88655 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy (argenteus), August 11 2003, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N, 1.34E).
2cy argenteus in August. (86540 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy (argenteus), August 11 2003, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N, 1.34E).
2cy argenteus in August. (81459 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy (argenteus), August 11 2003, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N, 1.34E).
2cy argentatus in August. (65544 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy (argentatus), August 07 2002, Tampere, Finland (61.31N, 23.43E).
2cy argentatus in August. (61979 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy (argentatus), August 06 2002, Tampere, Finland (61.31N, 23.43E).
2cy argentatus in August. (68231 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy (argentatus), August 07 2002, Tampere, Finland (61.31N, 23.43E).
2cy argentatus in August. (67856 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy (argentatus), August 07 2002, Tampere, Finland (61.31N, 23.43E).