These three different 2cy Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) were all photographed on February 9, 2013 in Hirtshals Harbour and they are not very different this on from Hanstholm Harbour .
They document that to a varying extent first winter Herring Gull can also show distinct pale fringes to the outer primary tips; a feature thus not unique to Thayer’s Gull. The degree can vary from narrow pale fringes to broad creamy-white fringes on bleached ‘milky coffee’ coloured primaries. The wing tip may then lack the contrast shown by most Herring Gulls at rest, and in flight such individuals can exhibit a pale underwing (including all the primaries) reminiscent of Iceland Gull as well as pallid upperwing with light brown wing tip and secondary bar.
Some of these gulls can also recall birds labelled as hybrid hyperboreus x argentatus (Viking Gull), but as they lacks a clear influence from Glaucous Gull when it comes to pattern on each feather, they are all considered to be European Herring Gulls with reduced pigmentation, but it will always be a question whether to name such as aberrant/pale end argentatus or Viking Gull-types.
#1: 9 February 2013, Hirtshals Harbour, 5 photos below
#2: 9 February 2013, Hirtshals Harbour, 5 photos below
#3: 9 February 2013, Hirtshals Harbour, 6 photos below
They document that to a varying extent first winter Herring Gull can also show distinct pale fringes to the outer primary tips; a feature thus not unique to Thayer’s Gull. The degree can vary from narrow pale fringes to broad creamy-white fringes on bleached ‘milky coffee’ coloured primaries. The wing tip may then lack the contrast shown by most Herring Gulls at rest, and in flight such individuals can exhibit a pale underwing (including all the primaries) reminiscent of Iceland Gull as well as pallid upperwing with light brown wing tip and secondary bar.
Some of these gulls can also recall birds labelled as hybrid hyperboreus x argentatus (Viking Gull), but as they lacks a clear influence from Glaucous Gull when it comes to pattern on each feather, they are all considered to be European Herring Gulls with reduced pigmentation, but it will always be a question whether to name such as aberrant/pale end argentatus or Viking Gull-types.
#1: 9 February 2013, Hirtshals Harbour, 5 photos below
#2: 9 February 2013, Hirtshals Harbour, 5 photos below
#3: 9 February 2013, Hirtshals Harbour, 6 photos below
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