Photo 1598: LBBG 2cy, June 17 2002, Dintelhaven Maasvlakte, the Netherlands.
Many first summer LBBG start moult of the central and outer median coverts, once
arrived from the wintering grounds. As in most 2cy LBBG, the anchor or
barred pattern is well-defined on these new feathers.
Here you find a first type 2cy LBBG with a very pale head and a two-toned
bill.
There are no juvenile feathers in the scapulars and mantle; they are either
second generation and very abraded (the fringes are completely worn away) or
fresh third generation (dark blackish-grey).
The upper and outer lesser coverts are still juvenile, but the central lessers show active moult. The
median coverts are replaced form outside to inside; moult arrived at the central feathers
which are still growing. The inner median and greater coverts are still juvenile
and most are reduced to a single shaft (the strongest part of the
feathers). The tertials were replaced recently.