Larus armenicus 2cy, 18 March 2011, Maagan Michael, Israel. Picture: Amir Ben Dov.
Bird showing active moult in the wing-coverts and tertials, with recently replaced feathers obvious grey based. In this way it is an exception of all other photographed 2cy armenicus in March. Wing-covert moult has already included mc, llc and all inner lc and gc, now arrived at the central gc. When in complete moult, this phase normally corresponds with moult in the central or outer primaries. But in armenicus it can also be seen in birds with extensive post-juvenile moult in November-December.
This extensive covert moult in early spring is common in heuglini and fuscus.
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