Mediterranean Gull (L. melanocephalus)

(last update: 20-10-2005)

Mediterranean Gull 4HV 7cy, August 10 2004, Le Portel /Boulogne-sur-Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E).

This individual shows white outer primaries with just a black streak along the outer-web, adult all white-grey plumage and black patches on the head. Typical adult bare part coloration: Iris dark brown, the red orbital ring turns brownish, the bill is red with a black bill-band. The legs are dull reddish.
From late summer to September, a complete moult takes place, bringing birds into so-called "adult winter" plumage. After the complete moult, birds show a blackish mask behind the eye. The mantle, scapulars, tertials and all the wing-coverts have been replaced for plain pale grey feathers. 
The secondaries are completely white. The new adult primaries are shiny pearly-grey, flashing white at a distance. There is a black line along the outer-web of P10 (and sometimes on P9 as well). Secondaries, under-wing and tail are completely white.

Ring readings:

  • 4HV Right as >3CY (metal: NLA 3.559.332) on May 25 2001 at Zeebrugge, Achterhaven, BELGIUM (51,19N 03,12E), originally ringed as pullus at Hellegatsplaten, the Netherlands, June 12 1998.
  • 24/07/01  Boulogne-sur-Mer, Plage, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,44N 1,36E
  • | 14x
  • 03/11/01  Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,43N 1,37E
  • 28/12/01  Playa San Lorenzo, Gijon, SPAIN 43,32N 5,39E
  • 07/04/02  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
  • | 2x
  • 21/06/02  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
  • 30/07/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
  • | 1x
  • 10/09/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
  • 29/11/02  Playa San Lorenzo, Gijon, SPAIN 43,32N 5,39E
  • | 6x
  • 25/02/03  Playa San Lorenzo, Gijon, SPAIN 43,32N 5,39E
  • 25/02/03  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
  • | 2x
  • 04/04/03  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
  • 13/07/03  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
  • | 4x
  • 11/08/03  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E