Young herring gull approaching adulthood (4th year)

The herring gull is a 4-year gull (4 years to reach maturity). Not only does its plumage vary with age but also by race.

Juvenile herring gull (1st year)

Herring gull young-of-the-year are very dark. Coastal Mainers sometimes call them "brown gulls."

Herring gull adult in winter plumage

Herring gull (2nd winter) in the Maine fog

This photo was shot near Cape Elizabeth, Maine in November, 2010.