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A vagrant species to the Great Lakes; however, individuals are expected annually. They are a "four year" gull species, but develop reasonably quickly, with somewhat "advanced" appearances in their second and third years.
First Cycle
June
July
August
September
Records within the Great Lakes proper usually involve birds that have replaced at least some juvenile feathers.Â
October
November
December
Many winter records of first year birds involve individuals with somewhat delayed plumage advancement, with few gray mantle feathers. They may be from northerly nesting populations and/or be later-hatching individuals.Â
January
February
March
April
May
Second CycleÂ
The change from first to second cycle depends on the timing of the start of the inner primary molt. May/June is used here as an inaccurate / arbitrary cutoff.Â
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
Third Cycle
Notes
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
Fourth Cycle / Adult
While "fourth" cycle individuals are recognizable through the summer months, they soon lose their distinctiveness. As such, only full adults are shown below.Â
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
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