Below is a collection of 1st cycle California Gulls photographed in Half Moon Bay, California in mid-September. All are hatch year birds - some still in complete juvenile plumage while others showing early 1st alternate scapulars. Subspecies unknown.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTA8Z7x-cxKU91jYKZ_C_RVf7au5ioDkK7QIGPdTEmhLZL1B8wNxPetw3TmzkuraNaX_cu8BLKOWLnUD575yPcxnK51N-vTtp_cB3KECJ5YAsBV5kjewBjGE1LNuRt23ZpxdQ2vzRKcoV_/s1600/DSC_6256.JPG) |
(1) All juvenile scapulars, a few showing a holy-leaf pattern (a pattern that's been associated with Herrings). The mostly black bill is shown by a minority of birds in mid-September. Band information to follow. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bIjg-eG-exrweM1BH-ag6it5OFr2PtFgY_3BkWgIii2oN7v5HDc7J8tI_9yFFrA_aZcJz25xq542iKG8LJn7NO6apSs_O4jg0_VI7wQApY-n4fwaa0cmBTTbTekoi3z5QgaoKOjwxZvQ/s1600/DSC_6517.JPG) |
(2) Still entirely juvenile. White forehead. Bill pattern with a mixture of black not uncommon for mid-Sept.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjc4X9FQ9IYNltc_y556E4VbCyrk6-jUC4a6wIXplz6T_U00TfuwkFVK85RkJLZoOfBanGXqiT8pbIuIKhn1aeqSWvZE9C9ZuvcXmaCtRnVKR_MbKFGhZwnlB8J-A1XgG9DeFVygdUWy9/s1600/DSC_5881.JPG) |
(3) "Cinnamon" type. Pale underparts and chest partially due to bleaching but also plumage variation. Post-ocular line.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnH80bjAlU9UKF1C3Iq-nkroiafw5EOr0Zm-59J-7G2hbu9ZwpC-WXkRAZjqFZSCm5mumcR3uZwCeziTfDa9D6Orf5SIKPGUYWc7Ok26tXqoPv30L0wkczBj5jKg7qm8RYiCTMtzIz-Fs/s1600/DSC_7203.JPG) |
(4) Cinnamon type still fully juvenile. Note the characteristic white forehead commonly shown by this age class.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGh1P_njYRvXTuzcIOVjSNT10r1Y5y3IYg1oEoGHzz6ZBvDILkFk8_fFYPdcPVmSYQk_4KfvgXwPN-oiKYaWXrOkpwpkB-ovh6SYwazCqFYOMIMimZ9wZSwEkzha2kxMiwFTXTsq0Ogg5/s1600/DSC_7041.JPG) |
(5) Similar to the individual above, but more black in the bill and some smoky gray 1st alternate scapulars.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPieZ6IAbdKDrYRodmT2yUifzG5yqcFyQPNcZNO_IEBuRX_WZYENsVhNBWBDzyOeehdB4wS9MC8NNAoTb6QCtkbKC40a-kMWqoAUPzYlAc4HGg4Fs1k54oK8I1iQggidYet8sG1qJnPrS/s1600/DSC_6439.JPG) |
(6) Smaller bird showing the famous decurved gape. Large, plain juvenile scapulars.
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Size variation is difficult to appreciate in photos, but what is obvious from these images is the immense variation in upperpart patterns and coloration.
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(7) A bigger and darker Herring-sized bird. A few dark gray alternate scapulars mixed in. Note the long-winged look.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhpJuf61rXSPwtfw-sMWSLJEtorx1Syep2kJBnp_FPZBFP7cyVpbblYHjNPh5ar8pihytPxQ_9rx1WLHva6qeWieD9PI2Kashk5vF8tM6j7ysWbh0D9VZnS3NJrirShO7HbKeaUZS8HIQ/s1600/DSC_6905.JPG) |
(8) Moderate post-juvenile scapular molt. More typical plumage aspect. Blue-gray tibia can be shown at this age. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH-2LXpXq4E-E4QHFKnGxUon199qiUUACeZXHLw5sZSOZfNMPicFvY-dl4qazGiRKJXZ01DBAYOmi1ojqToktre7WnWjS4pDNlq8y29VHbOlXU_JF-tvviJDWKwbQCpCyjUPV_5tBvT1e/s1600/DSC_7386.JPG) |
(9) Longish bill, straight and skinny, with typical two-toned pattern. Moderate scapular renewal. Neater lesser/median upperwing coverts.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwY8Ys482y0lhrIue1pz6LjKDaNfv5AH_tPK7gwCYRgGbTje_TdN3TEDrB-Vo9Kcz6NKd2pU-qEIEUE7RC0kq1jUDyxUSLW22gp38GzRM1eigZGGtIZG0asB14A7bazqMsCu5mmXEsNtI/s1600/DSC_7339.JPG) |
(10) Large individual with larger bill and head proportions (male?). Upperparts more worn than average.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1eS4UNUPhfKmLcnSmoPlr36_UyVovagt-HUp5PTviOoQuCcZ7sPtZAm8N2K0nggO-1ru4G5hE_xBn1XzigSiGr_OKTAiZZCCwQGWBTjz9Fjp44c3QsAt-PXcd1WPfDf5xBBlAc9DQUi0/s1600/DSC_6308.JPG) |
(11) Small bill. Variegated look to upperarts becomes more common as the season progresses. Classic anchor pattern on the lower scapulars. Replaced upper tertial?
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Qc8Le9EwFQefLSQmZJvpfo5Y1In3Ou6G-VJzH4wbr3qkqHLTqkN7JVTKiV4tIm9SlmiUfim-L53dDR5GQzwfsI3ncnZk93976Lux2jX4rJvufAs0pg8vPG8L1VegtQEhzQS9SebASqx2/s1600/DSC_6619.JPG) |
(12) Very plain greater and median coverts. Note the dark post-ocular line. Undertail coverts plainer than most Herrings.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2xP5g_BS7a5B3emy582bX5G5VIEihIT-lj2RI5sVAP04KL6-vRzVsMgx8fGXlsi1Un-KfYu2epezJsLDRKcBLKE6Q_ju1KXO4HUa4nPlfmttNgUEOBaOxdBNaJEeD4c4mawHHLHQpoI5/s1600/DSC_6141.JPG) |
(13) A darker cinnamon type with smoky gray post-juvenile scapulars. Matching some Western Gulls in size. Massive.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZVlwXV5Jcy6ERl4cuDFii362Y9SEfQBhtrYPT9Hb8xGKI3c5BsW6n24XExinxR4-hGfMyYef7aWHAma0U7-jwT1axa1Uq_fBOjGXYchA11L6oM7RoHPWyogSRrNOwH8cP7IylvVRtbiP/s1600/DSC_6623.JPG) |
(14) Extensive post-juvenile scapular replacement. Variegated and dark-gray scapular centers advanced. A few renewed lesser upperwing coverts and a renewed greater upperwing covert. Undertail coverts generally not as neatly barred as Herring. Lower hindneck blotchy with a heavily greased look.
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Overall, 1st cycle California Gulls have upperwing coverts that are weakly patterned and not as neatly shaped as similar-aged Herrings. Their bills are mostly straight with little expansion to the gonys. By early October the bill pattern is two-toned on almost all individuals, but some birds can exceptionally retain a mostly black bill into late October. On average, the species appears shorter and smaller than Herring but slimmer towards the rear with longer wings.