first cycle Slaty-backed Gull

first cycle
Slaty-backed Gull

Fig 1) Note the smudge around the eye; Thayer's-like primary pattern; relatively small, straight, yet thick/stout bill. Photo is over-exposed; February, 1996, Japan.

Fig 2) Note the pale head, stout bill, heavy build, and pale underwing with thin dark trailing edge to outer primaries (as in Thayer's) plus dark P9-10 from below, forming a dark V along edges of outer underwing. January, 1998, Japan. Photo courtesy of Angus Wilson.

For comparison of upper and underwing surfaces in flight, see these illustrations.

Fig 3) Note the pale head and dark smudge around eye; mostly dark tail; primaries and secondaries like Thayer's but with P9-10 solid dark and pale window on inner Ps very large, extending into outer Ss. December 6, 1983, approaching Tokyo Bay from NE. Photo courtesy of Jack Bowling.

Fig 4) Note the concentration of dark around the eye; the thick bill w/ little gonydeal angle; and the extensive pale in the primary tips. December, 1999, Japan. Photo courtesy of Wataru Kojima.

Fig 5) First cycle Slaty-backed Gull in front left w/ pale head and dark smudge around eye. January 24, 1997, Akune, Japan. Photo courtesy of Haynes Miller.