American Herring Gull (smithsonianus)

(last update: October 30, 2015)

American Herring Gull adult July

European Herring Gull Larus argentatus argenteus at Moerdijk, the Netherlands.

The combination P10 with P5 as mentioned by Bruce Mactavish & Peter Adriaens (and see on previous page) could turn out to be diagnostic for smithsonianus. However, these two birds from Moerdijk on the previous page (mVZ & oHE) may come close to what is defined as the primary patterns for smithsonianus. Bruce & Peter continue their article for cases where P5 has no complete band. In such birds, there should be a following set of five features:

a: P10 again the broad rectangular tongue, combined with a complete sub-terminal band.
b: P9 has no mirror or a mirror only on the innerweb.
c: P7 (& P8) show bayonets.
d: P8 has a white tongue-tip on the innerweb.
e: P6 shows a "W" sub-terminal band.

Considering the vast variation in possible patterns on the outer-wing in Moerdijk Herring Gulls, as is shown on the pages of this website, one may wonder if such a combination of features may occur in (probably a very small portion of) Dutch breeding Herring Gulls as well. Below are some example birds which come close regarding this set of five.

Below: Herring Gull oPL:

Below: Herring Gull m39:

Below: Herring Gull m42:

East coast birds