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A juvenile European herring gull (Larus argentatus) is a large, heavy-bodied young bird up to 66 cm long. It features mottled, dark brown and buff-speckled plumage, a dark bill, dark eyes, and pinkish legs. It takes about four years to transition into fully gray-and-white adult plumage.
Appearance and Identification
Plumage: Covered in a messy mix of dark brown feathers with pale fringes, giving a scaly or checkered look.
Head and Neck: Streak-brown and dingy, lacking the clean white look of adults.
Bill: Mostly dark or blackish, sometimes showing a slightly paler pinkish base.
Eyes and Legs: Dark eyes (becoming pale only in later years) and dull pink legs.
Development and Behavior
Maturation: Takes four years to reach adult look. Intermediate stages look mottled and messy.
Diet: Opportunistic feeder. Found near coasts, lakes, and landfills.
Flight: Strong and broad-winged, though juvenile tail and wing feathers show dark, uniform tones.
