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Herring Gull Larus argentatus

3W, or possibly 4W, January 2004


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Herring Gull, 3W, Jan 2004

 

Herring Gull, 3W/4W, Jan 2004

© A. R. Dean

By its third winter, Herring Gull starts to resemble adult plumage but the rate of development in this species is rather variable and distinguishing between 3cy and 4cy birds can be difficult. Note the brown barring remaining on the inner greater coverts, and the black mark behind the rudimentary red spot on the bill. These characters suggest 3W but the primary pattern, with well-developed white tips to all visible feathers, could indicate 4W. Compare this individual with a 3cy/4cy bird photographed in August and a more straight-forward 3cy(3W) individual photographed in December.


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