Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

(last update: July 12, 2015)

Coordinators:
Jean-Michel Sauvage (France)
Morten Helberg (Norway)
Nils Helge Lorentzen (Norway)
Mars Muusse (Netherlands)

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 3cy, March 17 2003, Boulogne- sur-Mer, France (50.42 N - 01.34 E).

This individual lacks plain dark scapulars and wing-coverts. Most feathers show a bleached brown pattern. Most of the wing-coverts (especially the lesser and lower lesser coverts) show the common pattern on second generation feathers. A single innermost lower lesser covert has been replaced recently. Some of the central scapulars show the ginger tone of fresh feathers and note the contrast with the worn adjacent feathers. The primaries show small white tips. Note also the second generation tail-feathers.