photo 4093: Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus 1cy, July 12 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.31N 23.43E).

Bird in complete juvenile plumage.

The partial autumn moult (post-juvenile moult into so-called "first winter") start right from the moment birds leave the nests and will be completed by September. Normally, the partial moult include the head and under-parts and some of the wing-coverts. The buff-brown coloration on the head and in the lower hind-neck will be replaced: the head turns white with a typical black spot on the rear ear-coverts and a dark patch around the eye in winter. The mantle and scapulars will be replaced for second generation feathers which are all grey.