Herring Gull- Zilvermeeuw (argentatus & argenteus)

(last update: 8-2-2007)

Herring Gull 3cy (argenteus), February 19 2004, IJmuiden, the Netherlands (52.27N-04.33E).

A 3cy argenteus showing brown second generation primaries with rounded tips and lacking a mirror on P10. The second generation tail has a broad dark tail-band and a thin white fringes.
Almost all scapulars are greyish adult-like feathers.
This individual has moulted some wing-coverts to third generation feathers in the partial autumn moult as 2cy bird: the three upper tertials have been replaced. The third generation tertials are largely grey. The two inner greater coverts and almost all visible median coverts were replaced as well and they show the same pattern as the upper tertials. Those new feathers strongly contrast with the barred second generation central and outer greater coverts which are clearly barred white-brown patterned. Several lower lesser and lesser coverts have been replaced as well.
The bill is two-toned and the iris is pale.