Herring Gull- Zilvermeeuw (argentatus & argenteus)

(last update: December 15, 2011 )

Herring Gull - 2cy June

Introduction

This website deals with the Herring Gulls of the taxa argentatus and argenteus. Argenteus is an abundant breeding species on Iceland, Britain, NW France, Belgium, the Netherlands and N Germany. The taxon argentatus breeds in NE Europe, from Denmark, the coast of the Baltic Sea, Scandinavia and coast of the White Sea. In the centre of the breeding range (Denmark and the NW German coast), birds show intermediate characteristics, indicating there is a cline in argenteus-argentatus. Argenteus in Western Europe is pale-backed, slightly smaller and with relatively much black in the wing-tip; argentatus in the NE Europe is larger, slightly darker on upper-parts and show less black in the wing-tip.
Due to the large breeding range, there is much intra-specific variation in argentatus, with most large, powerful birds in the northern populations, showing the most darkest upper-parts, longest wing and most white in the outer-wing. In this region, some populations may hold substantial number of yellow-legged argentatus. (referred to as "Finnmark yellow-legged argentatus"). In adult plumage, the black sub-terminal spot on P5 is often lacking or strongly reduced to a diffuse streak, broken at the centre. Sometimes P6 lacks black as well. 
In the Baltic region, other yellow-legged argentatus populations occur ("Baltic yellow-legged argentatus"), with adults showing even brighter yellow legs in summer and the upper-parts only slightly darker than West European argenteus, still much paler than Yellow-legged Gull (michahellis). Those Baltic argentatus often show a black sub-terminal spot on P5 in adult plumage.
On these web-pages, we largely follow P.J. Grant: "Gulls, a guide to identification" and E.K Barth's publication as Contribution No. 86, Zoological Museum, University of Oslo: "The circumpolar systematics of Larus argentatus and Larus fuscus with special reference to the Norwegian populations".

Tables:

Primary moult score in 2cy argenteus at Le Portel - Boulogne/Mer, June 13 2002.
p4 missing 2 5 7%
p5 missing 2 21 24%
p6 missing 13 43 58%
p7 missing 4 (incl Paris ring) 6 10%
. n = 21; m = 5.9; sd = 0.83 n = 75; m = 5.7; sd = 0.72

 

Primary moult score in 2cy argenteus, high tide resting group on roof in harbour, Boulogne/Mer, NW France on June 26 2003.
. P2 fg P3 fg P4 fg P5 fg P6 fg ? fg n:
P5-P10 - - - - - - -
P6-P10 - - - - - 10 10
P7-P10 - - 9 1 - 52 62
P8-P10 - - 1 24* - 10 35
P9-P10 - - - 2 3 1 6
P10 old - - - - 1 - 1
n: - - 10 27 4 73 114
n = 114.
P5-P10 = P5-P10 are still old and present.
? fg = fully grown not known. Often referring to sleeping birds with folded wings, so fully grown primary score most probably P6 or less.
fg = fully grown. In our field surveys, a primary is 'fully grown' when it exceeds the previous feather in the folded wing. Actually,  such 'fully grown' feathers may have to grow a little, but under field circumstances, it's very difficult to find out if the waxy sheath, which is the standard measurement for fully grown primaries, is still present. 
* = including Belgian ring H-124114.

June Chart 1 (below): 2cy HG primary scores (n=409) for June, Scheveningen, the Netherlands, and Boulogne-sur Mer, N France. Data: June 03 2000 (n=37, ave=5,8), June 08 2001 (n-24, ave=4,9), June 13 2002 (Boulogne-sur-Mer n=96, ave=4,3), June 21 2002 (n=101, ave=4,4), June 26 2003 (n=114, ave=3,6), June 29 2002 (n=37, ave=4,0).
Chart 1 shows the primary moult stage for 2cy Herring Gull, including last observations from late May (May 28 2002, n=36, ave=6,4) and first observations for early July (July 09 2002, n=80, ave=3,5). The complete spring - summer figure is plotted in chart 2. The charts show the "Remaining Old Primaries".

rings argenteus: U.K.


2cy argenteus in April, ringed on Guernsey. (61371 bytes)Herring Gull 1L5 2cy (argenteus), June 27 2003, Boulogne/Mer, France.
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull GR 15426 2cy (argenteus), May 31 - June 01 2012, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E). Picture: J-M Sauvage.
rings argenteus: France
2cy argenteus in June, ringed in France. (64471 bytes)Herring Gull DA 216321 2cy (argenteus), June 13 2002, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E).
2cy argenteus in June, ringed in France. (76670 bytes)Herring Gull DA 216323 2cy (argenteus), June 14 2002, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E).
2cy argenteus in June, ringed in France. (107593 bytes)Herring Gull DA 212950 2cy (argenteus), June 13 & 14 2002, Boulogne/Mer, France.
rings argenteus: Belgium
2cy argentatus in May, ringed in Denmark. (64659 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) PUAY 2CY, May 22 2011 & June 04 2011, Oostende, Belgium. Picture: Peter Adriaens. 
1cy argenteus in November, ringed in Belgium. (25637 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) YUAD 2CY, June 28 2013, Koksijde, Belgium. Picture: Peter Adriaens. 
1cy argenteus in November, ringed in Belgium. (25637 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) YZAW 2CY, June 15 2013, Koksijde, Belgium. Picture: Peter Adriaens. 
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull argenteus BLB H-905638 2CY, June 02 2017, Heemskerk, the Netherlands.
2cy argenteus in June, ringed in Belgium. (84401 bytes)Herring Gull H-115368 2cy (argenteus), June 13 2002, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E).
2cy argenteus in June, ringed in Belgium. (84312 bytes)Herring Gull H-117045 2cy (argenteus), June 13 2002, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E).
rings argenteus: Netherlands
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull Y.ADF 2cy (argenteus), June-July 2009, Scheveningen, the Netherlands.
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) Y.CDN 1CY-2CY, August 2016, May & June 2017, Katwijk & Heemskerk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) Y.CRF 1CY-2CY, August - September 2018 & June - August 2019, IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) N|= 2CY, February & June 2019, Katwijk & IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull argenteus A||2 2CY, June 02 2017, Heemskerk, the Netherlands.
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull argenteus B||B 2CY, June 02 2017, Heemskerk, the Netherlands.
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull argenteus C||+ 2CY, April, May & June 2017, IJmuiden & Heemskerk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) 9||V 2CY, June 20 2018, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull 84 2cy (argenteus), June 08 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull argenteus M8 2CY & 4CY, June 2013 & February-March 2015, Noordwijk & Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Picture: Merijn Loeve.
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) MX 2CY, June 24 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands. 
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull PT 2cy (argenteus), June 08 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argenteus in June, ringed in the Netherlands. (79598 bytes)Herring Gull 5.365.285 2cy (argenteus), June 14 2002, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E).
rings argentatus: Germany
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argentatus) HXHTH 2CY, June 10 2019, IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull argentatus AA33 2CY, June 02 2017, Heemskerk, the Netherlands.
rings argentatus: Norway
Herring Gull argentatus J841E 2CY, January & June 2015, Vest-Agder, Norway. Picture: Nils Helge Lorentzen.
rings argentatus: Finland
Herring Gull argentatus C5N03 2CY, April - September 2007, Tampere dump, Finland. Picture: Visa Rauste.
rings argentatus: Russia
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull (argentatus) KW52 2CY, June & September 2013, Noordwijk & IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
unringed 2cy Herring Gulls
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 08 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 08 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 09 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull argentatus 2cy June 09 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 08 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 07 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 07 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 07 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 07 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 07 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 09 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 09 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 09 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 08 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 10 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 07 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 08 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
ad LBBG in winter, ringed in the Netherlands. (65647 bytes)Herring Gull 2cy June 08 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.