Mediterranean Gull (L. melanocephalus)

(last update: June 11, 2012 )

Mediterranean Gull adult PHK2 January 04 2010 & August 31 2011, Le Portel / Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.

Ringing data: ringed on 20 May 2008 as SUBAD (4 CY?) at NYSKI RESERVOIR, OPOLE, POLAND ( 50.27 N 17.17 E), by SZYMCZAK, J.

Life history:
20.09.2008 WISSANT, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE .DUPONCHEEL, C.
15.11.2008 WISSANT, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE.DUPONCHEEL, C.
22.12.2008 WIMEREUX, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE.SAUVAGE, J.-M.
18.12.2009 LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE.SAUVAGE, J.-M.
04.01.2010 LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE.SAUVAGE, J.-M.
21.07.2010 LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE.FEYS, S.
11.09.2010 LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE.SAUVAGE, J.-M
30.08.2011, Boulogne sur mer,Pas-de-Calais,France.SAUVAGE J-M

below: PHK2 August 31 2011, Le Portel / Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.

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.

below: PHK2 January 04 2010, Le Portel / Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.