Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: May 17 2015)

LBBG 2cy, August 15 2003, Westkapelle, the Netherlands.

A 2cy LBBG, with an average moult gap in the primaries. P6 is fully grown and P9-P10 are still juvenile. (In the background, another 2cy LBBG with P7/P10).

In the wing-coverts, the last phase involves the central greater coverts and lesser coverts in the carpal edge. In the ordinary moult sequence, LBBG finish with about greater coverts #7-8 and the outermost lesser coverts in the upper row. As can be seen in the image, the those coverts have been replaced. However, it's obvious that several inner coverts were moulted much longer ago, in the post-juvenile moult on the wintering grounds. Greater covert #4 and median coverts #1-4 are very bleached and abraded at the fringes. This individual is currently replacing those older feathers, and inner greater coverts #1-2 are very fresh, most probably third generation.