American Herring Gull (smithsonianus)

(last update: October 30, 2015)

American Herring Gull (smithsonianus) Z68 3rd & 5th cycle (4CY & 6CY), February 2016 & March 2018, Stratford, CT. Picture: Donna Caporaso & Audubon CT.

See website: The Gulls Of Appledore. Green Z68 was banded as a chick July 15 2013. DNA indicates Z68 is a male. Donna's report is the first report for Z68 Off-Island. He may nest at Appledore Island this summer. Last summer (2017) he was seen three times on Appledore Island.

below: American Herring Gull (smithsonianus) Z68 5th cycle (6CY), March 21 2018, Stratford, CT. Picture: Donna Caporaso.

Overall a bird in adult plumage, though one greater primary covert in the left wing just seem to show a dark shaft. Classic smith primary pattern.

below: American Herring Gull (smithsonianus) Z68 3rd cycle (4CY), February 22 2016, Stratford, CT. Picture: Audubon CT.

Visit Audubon Connecticut at Stratford Point. Banded on Appledore Island, banded as chick in July 2013. See website: The Gulls Of Appledore.

Adult-like blackish primaries with bold white tips and large mirror on P10. However, also some immature features, like black ink spots on tertials, brown wash over the central greater coverts, and much black on the bill.