Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis
Second-years
Second-winter Ring-billed Gull, Laguna Park, San Louis Obispo, California, USA 23rd November 2009
A rather adult like bird in that all of the scapulars and wing coverts are plain grey and the primaries are black and show white tips and a mirror. However the white tips and mirror are very small whilst the eye is still dark and the bill tip is still largely all dark though paler tip is showing though.
The bill colour is pale yellowish, as are the legs.
Note that the bird has an attenuated rear end, looking long and slender.
Second-winter Ring-billed Gull, Laguna Park, San Louis Obispo, California, USA 23rd November 2009
Similar to the previous bird however this individual is showing a paler eye, though not as striking pale as in adult, and no white primary tips or mirrors. The legs on this bird have a slightly greenish-grey tone.
Second-winter Ring-billed Gull, Laguna Park, San Louis Obispo, California, USA 23rd November 2009
Very similar to the previous bird however note the even paler, more adult like eye.
Second-winter Ring-billed Gull, Salton Sea, California, USA 18th November 2009
The typical Ring-billed Gull jizz is visible on the floating bird, long winged and attenuated rear end and strong by coloured bill. The primaries lack any white tips and mirrors, the eye is still dark and this bill still has black on the curvature of the culman, in addition black marks can just be seem on the tail.
Second-winter Ring-billed Gull, Salton Sea, California, USA 18th November 2009
Much more adult like in general appearance, i.e. the bill band, brighter bill colouration and pale eye with red orbital ring however the lack of obvious white primary tips and mirrors, the mostly dark primary coverts confirm aging as second-winter.
Note however that P6 is adult; pale grey with broad black band and white tip, most obvious on the left wing.
Second-winter Ring-billed Gull, Salton Sea, California, USA 18th November 2009
Although this individual shows a developing bill band the dark markings in the primary coverts, dark brownish-black primaries with no white tips and only a small white mirror on P10, remnant dark markings in the tail and still dark eye confirm aging as second-winters