American Herring Gull (smithsonianus)

(last update: October 30, 2015)

American Herring Gull (smithsonianus) R37 moulting into 4th cycle (4CY), August 11 2015, Hampton Beach State Park, NH. Picture: Jackie Gauthier.

See website: The Gulls Of Appledore.

R37 was banded on Appledore Island July 17 2012 and is now a third summer gull, looking rather adult but with still some brown in the wings and black in the tail.  When banded R37 had both feet and was in good health. Fish line, nets, and traps are  seen entangling and entrapping shorebirds on all too frequent occasions.

Outer primaries and tail are still 3rd generation, as are the old worn greater and lesser coverts. A new set of median and lower lesser coverts are fresh, adult-like grey.