Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: May 17 2015)

(2 images) LBBG 2cy, August 15 2003, Westkapelle, the Netherlands.

A typical 2cy LBBG, with an average moult gap in the primaries. P7 is fully grown and P10 is still juvenile. 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, those coverts have been replaced. However lower lesser coverts #1, #4-5 are very abraded second generation feathers, obviously from the post-juvenile moult.