Herring Gull (argentatus & argenteus)

(last update: February 11, 2013)

Common Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 25 2011, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Clive Harris.

Largest of the Common Gull subspecies, sloped forehead and longer bill may suggest Herring Gull at first glance, but Common Gull never develop a red gonys spot. Unlike the W European Common Gull canus, there is no band on the bill in winter. Note pale iris, yellow legs and yellow bill, and mottled brown in neck.