Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

(last update: July 12, 2015)

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 2cy: May 17 2002, Le Portel - Boulogne sur Mer, France (50.42 N - 01.34 E).

A nice example of a 2cy Great Black-backed Gull which has replaced the wing-coverts and lower scapulars in one quick wave. The spring moult included all but one of the tertials, the inner four greater coverts, the complete row of median coverts and lower lesser coverts and the majority of the lesser coverts. All the lower scapulars show similar fresh fringes and the same pattern as the upper tertials.