American Herring Gull: 2nd summer, Bolivar Flats, Texas - April 2008
Picking such a bird out amongst European Herring Gulls would be very difficult. Note however the all dark tail.
Aged as a 2nd-year due to the pale eye, pale based bill and replaced scapulars, central lesser and median coverts and inner tertials.
American Herring Gull: 2nd summer, Bolivar Flats, Texas - April 2008
This bird has perhaps a slightly more American Herring Gull feel to it with the very pale head contrasting against the lower hind-neck and neck side streaking and the bold barring to the under-tail coverts.
As with the bird above the eye is very pale and there is considerable wear to all of the first generation feathers.
American Herring Gull: 2nd summer, Bolivar Flats, Texas - April 2008
Same bird as in the first image.
The most noticeable American Herring Gull feature is the all dark tail and the plain outer greater coverts. Again however identifying such a bird in Europe would prove to be a challenge.
American Herring Gull: 2nd summer, Bolivar Flats, Texas - April 2008
This bird has a more contrasting plumage in that the pale head sands out against the neck streaking. The greater coverts are plain mid-dark brown on the outer feathers, lacks marbled effect seen on many European birds. The pale inner primary window is obvious.
As with previous birds identifying out of range birds in Europe would be very difficult.
American Herring Gull - Larus smithsonianus
Second-years
.JPG)
