Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: May 17 2015)

LBBG intermedius 3cy, June 28 2003, Dannes, NW France (50.42N,1.34E).

An almost blackish 3cy LBBG intermedius with arrested moult in the primaries at P7. P1 is fresh 4th generation, P2-P3 missing, P4-P7 are 3rd generation, with P5-P7 relatively fresh compared to P4, and P8-P10 are old 2nd generation. In the rectrices, the inner tail-feathers are white with randomly small black spots, R6, the outer tail-feather is completely white and fresh. The secondaries seem to be moulted to third generation.

The tertials and wing-coverts are advanced for 3cy LBBG. The three upper tertials are fresh, black-grey, while the lower three are brown hued. Greater coverts #1-#4 are adult-like with a brown hue, #5-#7 are blackish-grey, #8-#10 are older and worn at the fringes, #11 is blackish-grey and #12-#13 are paler and worn again. The outer greater coverts are probably old as well.
All the median coverts are relatively fresh blackish-grey. The lower lesser coverts are similar to the medians, but in the central lower lessers, 3 feathers are older and worn with a brown hue. Most of the lesser coverts are similar to the medians as well, but in the carpal edge a few feathers are paler edged.
The fresh scapulars are blackish-grey while the older feathers show a brown hue.
The bill is typical for 3cy, with a clear bill-band and the red gonydeal spot confined to the lower mandible. The yellow iris has no speckling and the legs are yellow.

Birds like this individual are somewhat similar to 3cy fuscus spring.