Mediterranean Gull (L. melanocephalus)

(last update: June 11, 2012 )

Mediterranean Gull adult E911855 August 30 2014, Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.

BLB E911855 ringed as adult on June 20 2008 at Noordelijk Insteekdok, Oost-Vlaanderen, BELGIUM (51,17N 4,13E).

Reported:
17/01/2010 - Le Portel, Parking Roro, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,44N 1,35E - Sauvage. JM
30/08/2014 - Boulogne-sur-Mer, B. Loubet, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,44N 1,35E - 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.

This bird is in the last stage of the complete moult, with outer primaries still growing.