Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

(last update: July 12, 2015)

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 2cy: June 14 2002, Le Portel - Boulogne sur Mer, France (50.42 N - 01.34 E).

An individual with all wing-coverts moulted to second generation. This bird is moulting the rectrices. 
The upper three tertials are second generation. The greater coverts have been replaced: the outer coverts moult inwards, the inner coverts moult outwards and the two tracts meet at greater coverts #5. Recently moulted scapulars have buffish centre and show the same pattern as the white based second generation scapulars.
The soft parts are very immature with the bill mostly black.