What age is this Herring gull? (1 Viewer)

[martyrynin]

Struggling to age this bird. The triangles (checkered) pattern is missing on the greater coverts, which have a lot of brown. Overall the bird has a fairly dark saddle as well.

 

[martyrynin]

As a comparison, here's a couple of "easy" ones that have the clear covert pattern.

• A juvenile (late)
• A first winter

 

[martyrynin]

It's second winter. The pale iris was a clue, in combination with the bi-coloured bill.

Gull Research Organisation

This website deals with the taxa argentatus & argenteus. Comparison of plumage month by month.

gull-research.org

In high contrast a checkered pattern is visible in the lesser/median coverts, while the greater coverts are becoming brown.

One interesting difference in my bird is the dark eye mascara. Dark spot in front of the eye, and a black line behind.