2cy Herring Gulls

1: © Ruud Altenburg, 13-01-04. Fairly "classic" L a argentatus in rather fresh plumage. Note that the bill, especially the upper mandible, has already become quite pale.

Herring Gull - Larus argentatus

2: © Ruud Altenburg, 13-01-04. With monedula Jackdaws.

Herring Gull - Larus argentatus

3: © Ruud Altenburg, 15-01-04.

Herring Gull - Larus argentatus

4: © Mars Muusse, 13-01-04. A 2cy with very prominent pale barring on its greater coverts.

Herring Gull - Larus argentatus

5: © Ruud Altenburg, 13-01-04. Matsalu T 95.398, ringed as pullus on 27-06-03, Kobajad, Estonia. The ring is barely visible on right tibia.

Herring Gull - Larus argentatus

6: © Ruud Altenburg, 13-01-04. Note the 2nd generation lesser covert.

Herring Gull - Larus argentatus

7: © Mars Muuse, 15-01-04. Very difficult to see in the picture, but this 2cy has replaced both of its outer retrices, which is highly unusual for L argentatus.

Herring Gull - Larus argentatus

9: © Mars Muusse, 14-01-04. Shape of head, length of bill, tertial pattern and rather thin legs of this bird are not very typical for Herring Gull. Possibly this bird is a hybrid argentatus x cachinnans, just like green 846P.

Herring Gull - Larus argentatus

10: © Ruud Altenburg, 12-01-04. A very dark bird. The small size, very broad tail bar, unbarred, dark outer greater coverts, hardly barred tertials, scapular pattern and dark shins may cause confusion with Lesser Black-backed Gull L f intermedius, but note the rufous juvenile feathers contrasting with the fresh greyish second generation scapulars and head.

Herring Gull - Larus argentatus

11: © Ruud Altenburg, 13-01-04. Another rather tricky, small-sized bird, which resembles graellsii/intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gulls. The scapular pattern, however, seems to better argentatus.