Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)

(last update: March 12, 2015)

1st cycle Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)

For Kelp Gull, the breeding season runs from January to December, with juveniles also hatching in December. Therefore it seems wise to use the Humphrey & Parkes annual cycle terminology (An Approach to the Study of Molts and Plumages, The Auk 1959, Vol 76-1). The cycles can be illustrated as:

Over the months, Kelp Gull plumage develops is the follow way (due to variation in hatching dates, first and last dates are not fixed):

Every year, there is partial moult, the pre-alternate moult, which turn the birds into hormonal breeding conditions, with rich coloured bare parts and a moult of head and underparts. This "breeding plumage" only lasts over a short period, as within months the complete moult starts with shedding of P1 (the pre-basic moult). In this pre-basic moult, all primaries, wing-coverts, rectrices and secondaries are replaced in a more or less fixed sequence.

As Kelp Gull is a southern hemisphere breeding species, the moult cycle is about half a year ahead (or behind, but this is irrelevant for the terminology) of northern hemisphere taxa. The difference in moult timing is an important ID feature for recognision of out-of-range birds. In 1st cycle, the main difficulties probably arise with Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

1st CYCLE LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL VS KELP GULL

These two species may be very similar, but here the timing of the moult process is important. Kelp Gulls, living on the southern hemisphere hatch in November and are very fresh juveniles in January. By June-July they are about 1/2 year old and finished the post-juvenile moult. They will not start shedding inner primaries (initiate complete moult) before October.
Of course, the complete moult in graellsii and intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull is evident in the summer months. The June and July pictures below show obvious moult gaps in central primaries, with the inner ones replaced for 2nd gen feathers and the outer primaries still old juvenile, worn and bleached. By July quite some birds show tail feather moult as well.

Lesser Black-backed Gull 2CY, July 18 2013, Katwijk, the Netherlands (Mars Muusse). Bird in complete moult: P5/P8. Central GC growing, GC6-GC8 which are the last to be replaced in a common moult strategy. S1 growing and S2 about to be shed. Within the next week, the outer secondaries will be dropped almost simultaneously, in small groups so leaving a large moult gap in this feather tract in summer. All rectrices, except R5, misisng and growing.	Kelp Gull dominicanus 1st cycle, July 25 2007, South Africa. Picture: Graham Ekins. African taxon vetula. Some resemblance to Lesser Black-backed Gull. Note timing of complete moult in S Hemisphere gulls: by July still no sign of complete moult (birds only 1/2 year old now) and just finished the post-juvenile moult, including inner GC, inner MC, inner LLC and upper TT. Lesser Black-backed Gull intermedius and definitely graellsii would be in active complete moult.
Lesser Black-backed Gull DEH 4279xxx 2cy, June 24 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands (Mars Muusse). From N Germany Wadden Isles. In resting birds, complete moult indicated by new median coverts and many moult gaps in covert rows.	Kelp Gull (dominicanus) 1st cycle, June 26 - July 06 2013, SW Cape Province of South Africa. Picture: Chris Gibbins. African taxon vetula. Pale undertail coverts. Some resemblance to Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2cy, June 24 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands (Mars Muusse). Graellsii-like bird with limited moult on winter grounds. By June tail and secondaries still juvenile. Complete moult started, P2/P5 and new MC growing in.	Kelp Gull (dominicanus) 1st cycle, June 26 - July 06 2013, SW Cape Province of South Africa. Picture: Chris Gibbins. African taxon vetula. All dark tail contrast with pale uppertail coverts. Dark inner primaries resemble Lesser Black-backed Gull. Note replaced inner coverts.

DECEMBER - JUVENILE

FEBRUARY

MARCH - FIRST PRE-BASIC MOULT

APRIL

MAY

JULY - 1ST BASIC PLUMAGE

AUGUST

JANUARY - 2ND PRE-BASIC MOULT

FEBRUARY - 2ND PRE-BASIC MOULT