Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: 22-2-2011)

LBBG 3cy A18September 18 2004, IJmuiden, the Netherlands (52.27N - 04.33E).

A 3cy graellsii from Maasvlakte, the Netherlands, ringed A18 red in 2002. This individual has an average primary moult strategy, with P6 fully grown third generation primaries. The outer primaries P9-P10 are still second generation. The secondaries are still old, although the outer secondaries were not judged well in the field, but they are just visible beneath the greater coverts.

The bill has black on both mandibles and the red gonydeal spot is confined to the lower mandible, most obscured by the black. The bill is pale yellow with a pink base. The orbital ring is rather dark red. The white-yellow iris has clouded speckling. There is some fine dark streaking on the crown and in the lower neck. Most scapulars and the mantle look medium grey, with a brown hue on the older upper scapulars. Most wing-coverts have the same colour, especially the median coverts, lower lesser coverts and inner greater coverts. These coverts were moulted in the early stage of complete moult cycles. The central greater coverts are fully grown. The legs are pink to pale yellow.