Lesser Black-backed Gull L f intermedius

Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus intermedius

1, 3: © Ruud Altenburg, 03-07-05; 2: © Ruud Altenburg, 10-07-04. Amsterdam, Netherlands.

NOS 4105943, from Store Revlingen (59.24 N, 10.38 E), is an advanced Norwegian bird, at least in terms of fuscus-like upperpart colouration with worn dark brown and fresher dark grey feathers. All visible scapulars and wing coverts are at least second generation feathers; the dark grey mantle feathers probably are third generation. The missing coverts and tertials are being replaced with third generation feathers as well. This bird is on the advanced side of the spectrum: P1-4 are fully grown, P5 is growing and P8-10 are juvenile. The central rectrices have been dropped. Dark birds such as this one resemble some Baltic Gulls but are impossible to confuse with Heuglin's Gull.