Two subspecies are recognized in British Columbia:
1) Larus argentatus smithsonianus
2) Larus argentatus vegae
This eastern Asian subspecies of Herring Gull (Larus argentatus vegae), which is afforded species status by many authors, occurs regularly in Alaska and is being reported with increasing frequency by observers elsewhere in North America. The identity of many individuals outside of Alaska, however, is often complicated by the lack of familiarity of many North American observers with this subspecies and its identification. Detailed descriptions of birds in British Columbia, coupled with some intriguing photographic evidence, suggest that this bird occurs rarely (perhaps even regularly) in the province. Increased attention to this subspecies by knowledgeable observers will likely result in a significant increase in observations.
Note Authors: Rick Toochin and Jamie Fenneman
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