Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

(last update: July 12, 2015)

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 3cy: March 18 2003, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France (50.42 N - 01.34 E).

A strong, powerful bird, probably a male. This is an example of a bird showing an anchor pattern on the fresh lower scapulars, combined with a ginger tone on the centres. Some scapulars are plain dark grey. Most feathers show a bleached brown pattern, the wing-coverts (especially the lesser and lower lesser coverts) show the common pattern on second generation feathers. The primaries show small white tips and a small mirror on P10. Note also the second generation tail-feathers.