Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: May 17 2015)

LBBG intermedius(?) 3cy, June 30 2001, IJmuiden, the Netherlands.

Very advanced second summer (3cy) LBBG: almost all upper-parts have been replaced and the moult in the primaries have been arrested.

A second summer (3cy) LBBG, probably intermedius since it appeared to be the darkest LBBG in a group of local Dutch intergrades. The bare parts are as in most 3cy, including pink-yellow legs. The new scapulars are dark grey, while older scapulars are plain brown grey, but slightly paler at the edge.

On average it appears to follow an advanced moult strategy with most of the coverts already moulted to adult-like grey feathers. Older coverts have a brown hue. most contrast can be found in the carpal edge (the outermost lesser coverts visible). 

Besides the coverts, advanced moult can also be found in the primaries. Moult in the primaries was arrested at P7; P7 to P10 are still second generation and are bleached brown, without tips and no mirror on P10. P6 and P5 are just visible, with small white tips that show already some wear on the very tips. It's hard to tell exactly when the primary moult was arrested; probably in the wintering area, before departure north. Normally, by the end of June, second summer LBBG is moulting P3 and in just a few, P5 has been shed now.

For more LBBGs with arrested moult, go the 3cy LBBG in May section. At the discusfus page, we enlarge upon the problems for identifying western LBBG (graellsii and intermedius) from the eastern race fuscus.