Yellow-legged
Gull - Larus michahellis
(last update: October 08 2013)
Coordinators:
Delfín González
Gabriel Martín
Antonio Gutierrez
Amir Ben Dov
Mars Muusse
Yellow-legged Gull michahellis 1CY 697B November 27 2003, Montpellier, S France. Photo Ruud Altenburg.
697B shows an average amount of replaced wing-coverts and tertials in the post-juvenile moult. All scapulars have been replaced for second generation feathers, including the rear lower scapulars, the ones covering the scapular coverts. In both the upper and lower scapulars, a subsequent moult to third generation feathers has started (75-99% in the upper scapulars; 1-25% replaced in the lower scapulars), with the third generation feathers still very second generation-like in their pattern, but again with broad neat fringes indicating freshness. The last moulted scapulars appear much more greyish.
The partial autumn moult in tertials and wing-coverts:
tertials #1-2 (left wing) and #1-3,5 (right wing);
greater coverts #1-3 (left wing) and 1-4 (right wing);
median coverts #1-5 (left wing) and #1-7 (right wing);
lower lesser covert #1,3-5 (left wing) and #1,4-5 (right wing)
and some of the visible lesser coverts (about 5 feathers in left wing and
10 feathers in right wing).
The bill is most dark. All remiges and rectrices are still juvenile.
