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) 1st cycle (2CY), February 21 2015, Brownsville landfill, TX. Picture: Martin Reid.

Bird with obvious bi-coloured bill but otherwise pretty standard for 1st cycle plumage by February. All scaps replaced for 2nd gen feathers, coverts and tertials still juvenile. Feathers in hindneck and side of breast replaced as well, appearing more greyish rather than washed-out brownish. Note difference in wear between upper and lower tertials.