American Herring Gull (smithsonianus)

(last update: October 30, 2015)

Coordinators:
Amar Ayyash (US)
Bruce Mactavish (Canada)
Dave Brown (Canada)
Mars Muusse (Netherlands)

Slaty-backed Gull (schistisagus) 1st cycle, January 31 2010, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Gullog.

See Gullog's Blog.

Maybe pure Slaty-backed Gull, but several odd features: very delicate bill, rounded friendly head, boldly patterned coverts and elegant appearance. If not a hybrid with Vega Gull, this is a bird in the smaller end of the spectrum (females?).

About half of the scapulars replaced. Tail almost completely dark. Much white in GC.