Yellow-legged Gull - Geelpootmeeuw (L. michahellis): adult August

(last update: 08 december 2003)

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photo 7358: Yellow-legged Gull michahellis adult, August 10 2003, Etaples, France (50.44N, 01.35E).

Advanced michahellis regarding secondary and rectrices moult. The lower tertials are moulted, creating a gap at the innermost secondaries and in the mean time, secondary moult started at the division of primaries and secondaries. S1-S2 are just visible. Primary moult is just slightly advanced as well, as P1-P5 are already fully grown and P9-P10 left. 
This advanced moult in remiges and rectrices, together with the full black sub-terminal band on P4 might suggest sub-adultness, but the under-wing greater primary coverts appear plain white, without any trace of black and the bill completely lacks any black. Note the red orbital ring, large red gonydeal spot, deep yellow iris without speckling and deep yellow legs. P10 has a mirror on inner and outer-web.