Herring Gull
Pictures of some typical argentatus Herring Gulls, probably of
(very) northern origin. All the pictures were made on the VAM rubbish dump
near Wijster, in the north-eastern part of the Netherlands.
The gull above, photographed
on January 20th, shows the typical dark mantle, pinkish-based bill and
the short 'bubblegum'-pink legs of the northern argentatus race of
Herring Gull. Note also the diffuse band visible on P5. Although regarded as an
argenteus-feature, some argentatus can
show a vague band like this. In argenteus, however, this band is more solid.
Although photographed on the 20th
of January this bird is very much a fresh juvenile, with no 2nd generation
feathers and indeed any wear visible. This bird also shows the short pink legs.
These sometimes large birds often show a comparatively small bill.
Another juvenile, photographed on February 10th. Again short-legged and no 2nd
generation feathers visible. I brushed away most of what it was holding
in its beak. This to prevent you from vomiting all over your computer…
The same individual as the one above. This
picture was taken on February 24th.
This adult was photographed on February 24th near Wijster. Although it
was a dark individual its back is a bit 'overblued'
in this picture. Sorry about the legs. They were in fact short and
bubblegum-pink, as usual.
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