Mediterranean Gull (L. melanocephalus)

(last update: June 11, 2012 )

Mediterranean Gull adult PHK1 August 01 2010, Le Portel / Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.

Ringing data: ringed on 10 May 2008 as adult (>3CY) at CYBUKÓW POLDER, ROSZKOW-KRZYŻANOWICE, POLAND (49.58 N18.17).

Life history:

V20.07.2008BOULOGNE-SUR-MER, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE50.43 N01.37 ECAVALIER, F.
V20.07.2008LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE50.42 N01.34 EDE SMET, W.
V21.07.2008LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE50.42 N01.34 EDE SMET, W.
V02.08.2008LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE50.42 N01.34 EDUPONCHEEL, C.
V04.08.2008LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE50.42 N01.34 EMAJOOR, F., DUPONCHEEL,C.
V01.09.2008LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE50.42 N01.34 EDE SMET, W.
V17.10.2008LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE50.42 N01.34 EKEIJSER, H., BUIJS, R. J.
V28.11.2008BOULOGNE-SUR-MER, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE50.43 N01.37 ECHAMPION, M., VASLIN, M.
V01.03.2009LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE50.42 N01.34 EDRIENCOURT, E., DRIENCOURT, E.
V13.03.2009LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE50.42 N01.34 ELAIGNEL, J., DUPONCHEEL, C.
V21.03.2009DE PANNE BEACH, WEST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM51.06 N02.35 EGODDING, E.
TB26.05.2009> 3 CYMIETKOW RESERVOIR, WROCLAW, POLAND50.59 N16.40 EKOŁODZIEJCZYK, P.
V23.07.2009LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE50.42 N01.34 EDUPONCHEEL, C., LAIGNEL, J.
V 25.07.2009 LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCESAUVAGE, J.-M.
V25.07.2009LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE50.42 N01.34 EFLAMANT, R., DUPONCHEEL, CAVALIER, F., LORTHIOIS, M., LAIGNEL, J.
V09.08.2009LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE50.42 N01.34 ESAUVAGE, J.-M.

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.