Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

(last update: July 12, 2015)

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 2cy: August 2000, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42 N - 01.34 E).

All coverts and scapulars have been renewed and show neat white fringes at the tips. The clean piano-key pattern of first generation feathers have been replaced by a more variegated pattern. The central and outer median coverts have been shed. The upper two tertials are missing and growing. Those recently replaced coverts have a buffish base, which turns pure white when the feathers become older. The outer two primaries (p9 & p10) still have to grow a few inches. Note the small white tips and rounded tops of the new second generation primaries.