Mediterranean Gull (L. melanocephalus)

(last update: June 11, 2012 )

Mediterranean Gull adult PHY8 December 15 2011, Le Portel / Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.

Bird from Poland. Ringed as breeding adult (>3cy) on the nest: 09 May 2008 at SKOKI DUZE (GRAVEL PIT), WLOCLAWEK, POLAND ( 52.36 N 19.25 E).

29.12 2008 LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE 50.42 N 01.34 E SAUVAGE, J.-M.
27.11.2009 OUTREAU, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE 50.42 N 01.36 E SAUVAGE, J.-M.
09.12.2009 LE PORTEL, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE 50.42 N 01.34 E SAUVAGE, J.-M.
15.12.2011 Boulogne sur mer,Pas-de-Calais,France 50.44N 01.35E 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.