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 2CY, April 30 2003, Etaples, NW France (50.42N,1.34E).

2CY michahellis from late-April. This is an example of michahellis which do not replace many wing-coverts in the partial autumn moult as 1CY. In general, the wing-coverts panel consists mainly of abraded juvenile feathers. In this individual, the outer lower lesser coverts and outer median coverts are missing, indicating that the complete moult has started.

This is probably a female. In the background: two 3CY michahellis and four 2CY michahellis. At the bottom picture: the bird in front is 2CY michahellis 071Z, ringed in S France in 2002.