American Herring Gull (smithsonianus)

(last update: October 30, 2015)

Slaty-backed Gull (schistisagus) 3rd cycle (3CY), October 17 2012, Nemuro, Hokkaido, Japan. Picture: Shiroto.

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Still in last phase of complete moult, P7 fully grown, P10 still old 2nd gen. Upperpart grey tone as in Lesser Black-backed Gull, amber iris with speckling, pink legs. 3rd gen flight feathers: adult-like inner and central primaries, new secondaries grey base with bold white tips and more white in tail than in 2nd gen rectrices. Often mirror on new P10. Note very broad white tips of lower tertials, which will continue on the tips of the secondaries (in this bird, still old 2nd gen secondaries visible, 'skirting' below the GC). Underparts mottled.