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adult
Lesser
Black-backed
Gull
Fig 1) Note the rather well-defined head-streaking. Photo by Don DesJardin. Copyright 1997.

Fig 2) P10 is only half grown and P9 is not complete yet, giving the bird a stubby, rather than long-winged look with only two white tips showing past the tertials. That's a California Gull on the left. November 15, 1998. Alviso Marina, CA. Photo by Mike Rogers. Copyright 1998.


Fig 3) The same bird as in Figure 2. Photo by Mike Rogers. Copyright 1998.
Fig 4) The same bird as in Figure 2. Photo by Mike Rogers. Copyright 1998.



Fig 5) This bird came to a suburban lake in San Jose, CA for several years. Photos of this bird as a two-year old may be seen here. Now a four year old bird, note some signs of immaturity, such as the extensive black in the bill. February 23, 2000. San Jose, California. Photo courtesy of Mike Rogers.

Fig 6) Same bird as Figure 5. Note the small black dot just inside the white on p4 (right wing). The mirror on p10 is pretty small and a strange shape, possibly because of immaturity.

Fig 7) Same bird as Figure 5. Note that there is still black in a central rectrix.