Mediterranean Gull (L. melanocephalus)

(last update: June 11, 2012 )

Mediterranean Gull adult R18U 2010-2015, Le Portel / Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.

Ringing data: Ringed as adult at Le-Portel on 12 February 2010.

Observed at Le Portel on many occasions.

12/02/2010 - Boulogne-sur-Mer, Plage, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,43N 1,37E
13/03/2010 - Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE - Sauvage,JM
23/07/2010 - Boulogne-sur-Mer, Plage, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE - Duponcheel.C
20/11/2010 - Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE - Feys.S
12/02/2011 - Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,42N 1,34E - Duponcheel.C
11/07/2011 au 31.07.2011 - Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE - Prudhomme.I
01/08/2011 au 04.08.2011 - Boulogne-sur-Mer, Plage, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE - Flamant.R
06/12/2011 au 16.12.2011 - Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE - Jaffré.M
27/02/2012 - Outreau, Bassin Liane, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,42N 1,37E
09/09/2012 - Boulogne-sur-Mer, Plage, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE - Adriaens.P
13/01/2013 - Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,43N 1,37E - Glippa.O
17/12/2013 au 26.12.2013 - Boulogne-sur-Mer, Plage, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE - Petit-Berghem.E
26/12/2013 - Outreau, Bassin Liane, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE - Sauvage.JM
04/01/2014 - Boulogne-sur-Mer, Plage, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE - Petit-Berghem.E
11/02/2014 au 27.02.2014 - Boulogne-sur-Mer, Plage, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE - Petit-Berghem.E
01/03/2014 - Boulogne-sur-Mer, Plage, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE
13/12/2014 - Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE - Sauvage,JM

R18U March 13 2010, Le Portel / Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.

Moult to summer plumage completed.

The partial moult in Mediterranean Gull is from December to March-April and includes body and head, leaving birds in so-called "adult summer" plumage. The head develops a jet-black hood, extending down the nape. Adult birds have broad and contrasting white crescents above and below the eye. The bare part coloration in adult plumage: Iris brown, orbital ring coral red, the bill scarlet red often with a thin black bill-band and a yellowish tip and the legs red.

below: R18U December 16 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: R18U December 13 2014, Le Portel / Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.

Back again.

below: R18U November 30 2015, Le Portel / Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.