Herring Gull (argentatus & argenteus)

(last update: February 11, 2013)

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

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Herring Gull plumages:

HG 1cy July
HG 1cy August
HG 1cy September
HG 1cy October
HG 1cy November
HG 1cy December

HG 2cy January
HG 2cy February
HG 2cy March
HG 2cy April
HG 2cy May
HG 2cy June
HG 2cy July
HG 2cy August
HG 2cy September
HG 2cy October
HG 2cy November
HG 2cy December

HG 3cy January
HG 3cy February
HG 3cy March
HG 3cy April
HG 3cy May
HG 3cy June
HG 3cy July
HG 3cy August
HG 3cy September
HG 3cy October
HG 3cy November
HG 3cy December

HG sub-ad Jan.
HG sub-ad Feb.
HG sub-ad March
HG sub-ad April
HG sub-ad May
HG sub-ad June
HG sub-ad July
HG sub-ad Aug.
HG sub-ad Sept.
HG sub-ad Oct.
HG sub-ad Nov.
HG sub-ad Dec.

HG adult January
HG adult February
HG adult March
HG adult April
HG adult May
HG adult June
HG adult July
HG adult August
HG adult September
HG adult October
HG adult November
HG adult December

Thayer's Gull thayeri 2nd cycle (3CY), December 28 2012, Half Moon Bay, CA. Picture: Chris Gibbins.

This is a typical second cycle bird, although they are highly variable. Tertials extensively solid dark brown lacking vermiculation at fringes. Note the rather solid brown, slightly marbled greater coverts, typical on most gull species in second cycle. The amount of adult gray in the mantle is highly variable at this stage. Notice the dark secondaries of this Thayer's, matching the primaries and tail in tone. In Kumlien's all three of these feather groups are normally significantly paler brown than in Thayer's.