American Herring Gull (smithsonianus)

(last update: October 30, 2015)

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

American Herring Gull (smithsonianus) 2cy, August 17 2014, 5-12 miles offshore from Berrien County, MI. Picture: Amar Ayyash.

Inner two primaries close to what 3rd gen primaries look like, but probably advanced looking 2nd gen primaries, indicated by brown basal wash on outerwebs and hint of subterminal spotting. P3 with obvious brown wash, P4-P5 with only a ghost of subterminal pattern, which would be much sharper defined and more blacksih in 3rd gen primaries. Outermost secondaries S1-S4 fresh, with brown centres and arrowheads near tips (3rd gen secondaries often show dark centres, but then blackish and sharply demarcated). Dark brown tail contrast with white uppertail coverts.