American Herring Gull (smithsonianus)

(last update: October 30, 2015)

American Herring Gull (smithsonianus) Y30 1st & 2nd cycle, October 2013 - February 2015, RI & MA. Picture: Keith Mueller, Steve Arena & Dave Adrien.

See website: The Gulls Of Appledore

Banded on Appledore Island, banded as chick on July 13, 2013, now in 2nd cycle (3CY). See website: The Gulls Of Appledore.

On October 03 2013, Keith was on a fishing boat on the southeast corner of Coxes Ledges, approx. 32 miles southeast of Point Judith, Rhode Island.  Y30 was in a flock of approximately 50 gulls that were attracted to a chumline Keith was running that was baited with catfood and beef suet (yum!) to attract Shearwaters and Fulmars.  He posted an account of the day, including beautiful photos of a variety of bird species, at his blog: New England Coastal Birds.

below: American Herring Gull (smithsonianus) Y30 1st cycle (1CY), October 03 2013, 32 nm off the coast of Rhode Island. Picture: Keith Mueller.

Smooth brown tecture on underparts.

below: American Herring Gull (smithsonianus) Y30 2nd cycle (3CY), February 01 2015, Salisbury beach, MA. Picture: Steve Arena.

Please visit Steve's Flick photos for more pictures.

2nd generation primaries. Scapulars still a mix of old brown feathers and new adult-like grey feathers. Few central MC replaced in partial autumn moult. Brown iris and much black at tip of bill.

below: American Herring Gull (smithsonianus) Y30 2nd cycle (3CY), January 02 2015, Salisbury beach, MA. Picture: Dave Adrien.

2nd generation primaries. Scapulars still a mix of old brown feathers and new adult-like grey feathers. Few central MC replaced in partial autumn moult. Brown iris and much black at tip of bill.