Herring
Gull 5.411.465
2cy (argenteus),
July 09 2004, IJmuiden, the Netherlands (52.27N-04.33E).
2cy argenteus
with a Dutch ring: Vogeltrekstation Arnhem 5.411.465. P8-P10 old, P5 new.
From late April onwards, 2cy argenteus has a complete moult
during summer to so-called "second winter" plumage. This
complete moult will be finished by October. The head has been moulted in July-August and shows neat fine
streaking by October. The under-parts and rump are pale, mottled with
brown. From mid-May, the scapulars and mantle were replaced for third
generation feathers, starting with the replacement of the lower upper
scapulars. The pattern of the third
generation scapulars is more or less similar to the anchor pattern of the
second generation feathers. In argenteus,
some new scapulars may appear adult-like pale grey, but most new
feathers will show an anchor pattern and this still applies on the new
feathers in September. By September, 2cy argenteus is actively
moulting the lowest scapulars, but in the mean time, the upper scapulars
may be moulted again as well. Fresh feathers can be recognized by the
buffish centres.
From early April, the inner primaries
were shed
and new second generation primaries grown in. On average, the last juvenile primary (P10)
was shed in the first week of August. The majority of argenteus
complete the primary moult by the first week of October, when the new second
generation P10 will be fully grown. The new primaries are dark with a tiny pale tip on
the fresh flight-feathers. The four inner primaries show an extensive
pale window, as both inner and outer-web are pale greyish white-brown,
contrasting with the outer-wing. A pale inner-web can still be found in P7.
The second generation
tail-feathers show a clear-cut blackish tail-band with only isolated
blackish markings on the white basal half.
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