Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

(last update: July 12, 2015)

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) sub-adult, March 17 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 or bleached, the base of the bill is slightly pink and there is an obvious bill-band. Note the dark markings in the tail. The tips of the primaries are rather small, but there is an obvious white mirror on the outermost primary P10. This is probably a 4cy bird.