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 sub-adult , April 25 & May 24 2011, Tel Aviv - University Zool. Garden, Israel. Pictures: Amir Ben Dov.

Local breeding michahellis in the East Mediterranean. Obvious immature bird, possibly 3CY male, but maybe 4CY bird as there are already obvious mirrors on P10. Michahellis 3CY in spring have 2nd gen primaries and normally do not show mirrors. However, 4CY michahellis develop a more mature plumage normally, not showing so many barred coverts and tertials, and black in the tail in 4CY spring.
Paired with adult female.

below: sub-adult, April 25 2011.

below: sub-adult, May 24 2011.