Herring Gull 30764422cy (argentatus), January 24 2003, Scheveningen, the Netherlands.
This individual was ringed at Copenhagen, Denmark 3076442. Ringed as 1cy on November 08 2002 in Vresen, Gudme, Denmark (55.13N 10.53E). No certain origin, but from Scandinavia. Most of the scapulars have been replaced for second generation feathers. The inner wing-coverts and upper tertials show clear abrasion.
Argentatus is a breeding species of northern latitudes in Scandinavia, and as can be expected, the moult to second generation feathers is delayed, compared to south-western breeding argenteus. Argentatus from the northernmost populations remain in Scandinavia for most of the autumn, and this factor, together with the later hatching date, may be one of the reasons the juvenile feathers are not as bleached as in argenteus by January.
The southern argentatus populations from Denmark, eastern Germany and the Baltic states are more reminiscent of argenteus.
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