Heuglin's Gull L heuglini

Heuglin's Gull - Larus heuglini

1-5: © Visa Rauste, 13-06-02. Syktyvkar, Russia.

Compared to the previous bird, this 2cy has a very different appearance. This probably is caused by the freshness of the juvenile feathers. The wing coverts and particularly the retained tertials still look remarkably fresh, with broad white edges. Such well-preserved feathers are hardly ever (or maybe even never) seen in western Lesser Black-backed Gulls that return to Europe. P1-3 have been dropped and currently the outer median coverts are being replaced.