Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)

(last update: March 12, 2015)

Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus vetula) 2nd cycle, December 12-15 2024, Simonstown - Kaapstad, South Africa. Picture: Chris Gibbins.

Breeding season at this location (34°11'30S 18°25'52E) is in December, with this years juvenile birds almost fledging by mid-December.
Therefore it’s convenient to consider the bird at this page as 12 months old.

Bird in 2nd pre-basic moult, moulting to 2nd basic plumage.
Previous alternate moult (post-juvenile moult) included most coverts, upper tertials, but no rectrices nor remiges.

Early stage of 2nd pre-basic moult: P1-P2 almost full grown 2nd gen, P3 growing 2nd gen, P5-P10 old juvenile. Secondaries and rectrices all old juvenile.
Central and outer GC missing.