American Herring Gull (smithsonianus)

(last update: October 30, 2015)

Slaty-backed Gull (schistisagus) 1st cycle (1CY), October 02 2007, Isohama, Tsuri-shihama, Japan. Picture: Shigenobu Aizawa.

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Autumn first cycle bird, still in juvenile plumage. Boat-shaped bird with heavy bill, dark head and dark tail, overall brown aspect, 'washed-out' mud-brown impression. However, by October the white fringes on scapulars still present. Note densely streaked undertail coverts. Greater coverts are barred here. Missing some upper scaps.