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

(last update: 08 december 2003)

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(3 images) possible Yellow-legged Gull michahellis x Lesser Black-backed Gull graellsii adult, September 22 2002, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France (50.44N,01.35E). 

This bird shows the same grey tone of the upper-parts as the average Yellow-legged Gull and is clearly paler grey than surrounding Lesser Black-backed Gulls. It's a large bird, strong and powerful in general appearance, but with a remarkable small and gentle bill. A few characteristics are not in line with either adult or sub-adult Yellow-legged Gulls, with most prominent feature the very delayed primary moult stage. P9 and P10 are still old and only P4 is fully grown. P9 has a small mirror not reaching the inner nor outer-web. Another feature not seen in many Yellow-legged Gulls is the extensive head-streaking creating a hooded effect. Note the dark blackish inner-web of both P9 and P10, which is gradual dissolving in the greyish base as in LBBG.