American Herring Gull (smithsonianus)

(last update: October 30, 2015)

Slaty-backed Gull (schistisagus) 3rd cycle (4CY), March 06 2012, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Peter Adriaens.

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3rd cycle with still black in the tail, brown on the tertials and a brown hue on several of the wing-coverts, obvious black on the bill and extensive winter streaking in hindneck. Upperparts at this age often paler than in typical adult.

Wingtips paler than in Vega Gull; hindneck distinctly streaked unlike immature Glaucous-winged Gull. In flight, tail pattern and outer primaries typical of Slaty-backed Gull.