Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 17.2.2005, Aarhus East Harbor

This Common Gull deviates from the normal late winter canus with the plumage being dominated by high numbers of juvenile feathers. This could indicate a bird belonging to at late breeding northern most population or one could speculate whether it could be a heinei but at the same time acknowledge that such identification is highly speculative without biometrics.

Note especially in these flight shots the extensive bold chevrons on both upper- and under tail coverts, the rump has some dark streaking and there is barring on the outer tail feathers. Another similar "moult retarded" Common Gull was seen at the same site just few days before.