Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

(last update: July 12, 2015)

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) sub-adult, March 16 2003, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France (50.42 N - 01.34 E).

In many respects this bird still resembles an immature bird, with most of the lesser wing-coverts barred, the base of the bill pink and an obvious bill-band, but some yellow is already visible near the tip. Note the dark markings in the tail. The tips of the primaries are only very small, but there is an obvious white mirror on the outermost primary P10. This is probably a 4cy bird.