Mediterranean Gull (L. melanocephalus)

(last update: July 11, 2014 )

Mediterranean Gull 4CY 32LV July 06 2014, Le Portel / Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.

Ringing data: ringed as pullus on June 13 2011, at De brakke kreek, Doelpolder Noord, Doel, Antwerpen, BELGIUM.

Life history:
06/08/2011 - Xunqueira, do Lagares, Vigo , Pontevedra, SPAIN 42,12N 8,46WSalvadores Ramos, Rafael
06/08/2011 - Xunqueira, do Lagares, Vigo , Pontevedra, SPAIN 42,12N 8,46WTito Salvadores Ramos
01/08/2012 - Wissant, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,53N 1,4EFlamant, R
04/08/2012 - Wissant, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,53N 1,4ELaignel, J
04/08/2012 - Wissant, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,53N 1,4EGhislain, M
29/12/2012 - Dafundo beach, Oeiras, Lisboa, Estremadura, PORTUGAL 38,42N 9,14WMorgado, J
13/01/2013 - Carcavelhos, Lisboa, Estremadura, PORTUGAL 38,41N 9,2WFlamant, R
13/01/2013 - Carcavelhos, Lisboa, Estremadura, PORTUGAL 38,41N 9,2WRooselaer, E
13/01/2013 - Carcavelhos, Lisboa, Estremadura, PORTUGAL 38,41N 9,2WVerdegem, P
13/01/2013 - Carcavelhos, Lisboa, Estremadura, PORTUGAL 38,41N 9,2WDuponcheel, C
23/08/2013 - Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,42N 1,34EVan Huffelen, H J
28/06/2014 - Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,42N 1,34E Sauvage JM
06.07.2014 - Boulogne-sur-mer "port",Pas-de-Calais,France Sauvage JM

From June to September, a complete moult takes place, into so-called "adult winter" plumage. The head pattern resembles the pattern in first winter birds, with blackish mask behind the eye. The mantle, scapulars, tertials and all the wing-coverts are replaced for plain pearl-grey feathers. The secondaries are completely white. The adult primaries are shiny pearly-grey, flashing white at a distance. There is a black line along the outer-web of P10 (and sometimes on P9 as well). Secondaries, under-wing and tail all completely white. The bare part coloration in adult plumage: Iris brown, orbital ring red or orangey-red, the bill red or orangey-red with a black bill-band and a yellowish tip and the legs dull reddish or dark. There is some variation in 3cy and 4cy wing-tip patterns.