Herring Gull 2cy (argentatus), March 18 2003, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.43N-01.37E).
This is an illustrative example of 2cy argentatus, with a freshly looking wing-coverts (the white notches mainly in tact) and only very limited moulted scapulars. This individual has most scapulars still juvenile with the central upper lower scapulars missing: upper scapulars: 1-24% moulted, lower scapulars 0% moulted, total: class 1-24% moulted). The fresh second generation upper scapulars show buff-grey bases.
The partial autumn moult in argentatus may vary strongly depending on the geographic origin of individuals. The extend of the moult varies subsequently. In argenteus (moult from juvenile plumage into so-called "first winter" plumage) includes the body and head feathers. This moult starts as soon as the nest is abandoned (late June) and continues until January. In general, the head turns paler on throat and forehead, compared to the juvenile plumage. The second generation feathers on the breast are paler as well. The feathers on the vent and the under-tail coverts are still juvenile in most 2cy argenteus by January. From July onwards, after leaving the nest, the mantle and upper scapulars were moulted last year to second generation feathers, showing an anchor pattern and a dark base. The lowest row of scapulars, especially the rear feathers, are still juvenile or actively moulted by March in most 2cy birds (contra e.g. michahellis, which has finished the replacement in the lowest row). The notched pattern of the juvenile tertials, lesser, lower lesser and median coverts is not very obvious anymore by February, as the white parts are largely worn away. The juvenile greater coverts show a 'piano-key' pattern in argenteus; on the outer greater coverts as well.
The secondaries, primaries and primary coverts are dark with a small white tip, but the juvenile inner primaries show an obvious pale window, prominent from below and above. The under-wing is rather uniform grey-brown patterned. The tail has a broad sub-terminal band and isolated dark bars on the basal half. The iris is dark, the bill is blackish, sometimes with a paler base, and the legs are flesh-pink.
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