Herring Gull (argentatus & argenteus)

(last update: February 11, 2013)

Thayer's Gull thayeri 2nd cycle (3CY), February 12 2012, Sausalito, CA. Picture: Steve Hampton.

This is a typical second cycle bird, although they are highly variable. Dark iris and mottling on head running down on underparts. Tertials extensively solid dark brown lacking vermiculation at fringes. Note the rather solid brown, slightly marbled greater coverts, typical on most gull species in second cycle. The amount of adult gray in the mantle is highly variable at this stage.