Herring Gull- Zilvermeeuw (argentatus & argenteus)

(last update: 6-11-2006)

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Herring Gull plumages:

hg 1cy July
hg 1cy August
hg 1cy September
hg 1cy October
hg 1cy November
hg 1cy December

hg 2cy January
hg 2cy February
hg 2cy March
hg 2cy April
hg 2cy May
hg 2cy June
hg 2cy July
hg 2cy August
hg 2cy September
hg 2cy October
hg 2cy November
hg 2cy December

hg 3cy January
hg 3cy February
hg 3cy March
hg 3cy April
hg 3cy May
hg 3cy June
hg 3cy July
hg 3cy August
hg 3cy September
hg 3cy October
hg 3cy November
hg 3cy December

hg sub-ad January
hg sub-ad February
hg sub-ad March
hg sub-ad April
hg sub-ad May
hg sub-ad June
hg sub-ad July
hg sub-ad August
hg sub-ad September
hg sub-ad October
hg sub-ad November
hg sub-ad December

hg ad January
hg ad February
hg ad March
hg ad April
hg ad May
hg ad June
hg ad July
hg ad August
hg ad September
hg ad October
hg ad November
hg ad December

Herring Gull 2cy (argenteus), January 04 2002 , Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E).

The average moult score for 2cy argenteus by mid-January. The mantle and upper scapulars have been replaced and the smudgy grey centres have already turned pale buffish; now contrasting with the brown anchor or barred pattern (1). The white fringes may be reduced or worn away. Last moulted feathers can be found in the lowest row of lower scapulars (2). Base colour of these feathers is buffish-grey and they do not contrast as obviously as the older feathers. In many cases, a few lowest scapulars are still juvenile. In the photograph, taken from an angle from behind, the rear lowest lower scapulars are clearly visible: all-brown with strong abrasion in the fringe (3). The head and body has been moulted for second generation as well, but all other feathers are still juvenile. Commonly, the juvenile tertials, the inner greater and the inner median coverts show much wear. The white notches along the fringes wear away easily by a lack of pigmentation (which makes dark feather parts stronger) and the smooth feather edge may turn in a 'stamp-edge', the brown pigmented parts remain and protrude, including the central shaft. The outer coverts look much better conserved with a neat edge, the outermost greater coverts protected by the flank feathers and the feathers of the side-breast.
The juvenile primaries are clearly pointed, unlike the rounded remiges shown by so-called "second winter" birds. The iris remains brown-black as in juvenile plumage, but in quite some birds the bill already turns paler at the basal half by mid-January.