I'll begin this post by reiterating - as I always do - that I'd much rather leave confusing young gulls unidentified than assign a hybrid label to them. There is no sense in jumping to conclusions when there are no data to support them.
With that said, here's a bird I first thought may be a 1st cycle Lesser, then decided it was okay for a 1st cycle Herring, and then started scratching my head the longer I looked at it.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaziPB2_p-NZ9I3ADO82RBf8OCX15vdARQ7khZhsb9StWz50mKaf-RoUQNef1fVvhtPzmWVZaMP7WImC45T3g-klVdQOUeZNtzpO2_2Q-fdLHm0mPHBOmkFnexQVGBWVcHSlCDFk80XR6/s640/DSC_2036.JPG) |
Structurally, the rear looks very little like an American Herring and much more like a Lesser. The sparsely marked vent area is also unusual. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJ4BT0ufucY5d0pDQp02CLsoymw9m3I22b6xseC1aaH87JSk10M95GoO_lQ1fB0Jrr5OK9hXlso2R028pzUf7GZl0u2Hp9MpBcw_HIiSZhxKDAwjlyrrQSlzbqx7TeroG9rxXubFnmNEI/s640/DSC_1808.JPG) |
The, longer, solid outer median and lesser coverts also resemble Lesser Black-backed, more than American Herring. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIdoJun1XS7_ED991J0AGxfiWoMGIqxQ2YrojebETWqXZYYzyj28Oqpc-lP5-LDOharuXUl99lv2jDadC4cPckQht5uOClcqrVe8AVKnbWwg8K5HqLVDozaLgmBNYBlfvUJqApMC29ObX/s640/DSC_1869.JPG) |
"This is NOT a pure American Herring" were my thoughts after seeing the undertail. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEptnlt-hdOZPsUHz4NTmkod6uFchZY98rKonHWjxSSYb5Oirse0vm3oWa6HqPOlnlxHD2TadyD_rrU5Ho0R4cQ_tcUptqLXJKM2kT6Xa-9E4LrkdlUkWHq6E3SX5Ewdf5vXiggLJ4znW/s640/DSC_1784.JPG) |
The white vent is not something I've encountered with juvenile American Herrings. But now see the open wing... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth4JGDvutqgsDdZb4kqg4giVVMU_o0Mie6XNwSJYUh9G7EfgxVY1SV6rf_G9H4mUuzORd_F7slg4bj82lohUblNlPEHWmq6CsBWt1lZcuqeerLFjTQuvTcR8rvYchYF33CiHuBAgW5ahK/s640/otra.JPG) |
The uppertail contrasts greatly with the rest of the body, but most disturbing is the strong contrast to the pale inner primaries (only seen well in brighter lighting). |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5RUd6m29PdZ-hs7Z4VZubzNvJxnxUyXOxgcwqi3vtdBXbiN4yITFvhkfe9q2VqdKWucJAWs90L6BecFadRlx6AbbpjjVAsNZqqqowCmNXnw6qVkPdMf-aKuYEPvhUlDvY6ShhdjVvlGI/s640/DSC_2310.JPG) |
In this slightly underexposed image, it looks long-winged, shows less of an inner primary window, and the tail almost looks like it was trying to go for a banded look but failed miserably. |
If this is an American Herring Gull or Lesser Black-backed Gull, then I have to admit that I don't yet know these species well. It sure doesn't feel right for either taxon. On the other hand, it does look intermediate in many ways. Another one for the mystery file.