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adult
Vega Gull
Fig 1) Note the dark mantle shade, much darker than smithsonianus or argenteus Herring Gulls, yet paler than graellsii. Japan. December. Photo by Wataru Kojima, copyright 2000.

Fig 2) Compare the mantle shades of the adult Vega Gulls (bottom left and far right) with the adult Slaty-backed Gull (bottom right). Also visible, several Black-tailed and Common Black-headed Gulls. January 3, 1998. Choshi, Chiba Province, Honshu, Japan. Photo courtesy of Angus Wilson.

Fig 3) Adult Vega Gull in flight. Note 'heavy, flat-headed' look that is strikingly different from North American smithsonianus or Western European argenteus and more like Scandinavian argentatus. Relatively broad white trailing edge to secondaries (width similar to Slaty-backed Gull). Trailing edge more sharply defined than in smithsonianus or argenteus, presumably due to slightly darker mantle. Bill dull yellow with orange spot. Relatively few black marks on bill. This bird is also shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. January 3, 1998. Choshi, Chiba Province, Honshu, Japan. Photo courtesy of Angus Wilson.

Fig 4) Same bird as in Figure 3 and 5. January 3, 1998. Choshi, Chiba Province, Honshu, Japan. Photo courtesy of Angus Wilson.

Fig 5) Same bird as in Figure 3 and 4. Shows underwing pattern and broad white trailing edge to secondaries. January 3, 1998. Choshi, Chiba Province, Honshu, Japan. Photo courtesy of Angus Wilson.

Fig 6) Adult Vega Gull standing. Note typical bubble-gum pink legs and diffuse spotting which is concentrated on the nape. January 3, 1998. Choshi, Chiba Province, Honshu, Japan. Photo courtesy of Angus Wilson.

Fig 7) Adult Vega Gull swimming. Seen at a distance, the majority of adult Vega Gulls appear dark-eyed like this. Note dull yellow bill and broad tertial crescent. January 3, 1998. Choshi, Chiba Province, Honshu, Japan. Photo courtesy of Angus Wilson.

Fig 8) Adult Vega Gull with Common Black-headed Gulls (Larus ridibundus). Amber eye color clearly visible. Head mottling concentrated on nape. January 3, 1998. Choshi, Chiba Province, Honshu, Japan. Photo courtesy of Angus Wilson.

Fig 9) Adult Vega Gull in flight. The two-tone effect on mantle is an artifact of the underwing coverts blocking light passing through the wings. Primary molt in progress. Subterminal marks on 6th longest primary (P5, U.S. numbering). One or two mirrors are typically visible in adults with the smaller mirror approximately 75% the size of larger mirror. Small white tongues on 3rd to 5th longest primaries (P8-P6). January 3, 1998. Choshi, Chiba Province, Honshu, Japan. Photo courtesy of Angus Wilson.

Fig 10) Apparent adult Vega on left (heavily streaked with deep pink legs). Birds with orange-yellow legs are likely taimyrensis. January 24, 1997, Akune, Japan. Photo courtesy of Haynes Miller.