Yellow-legged Gull - Larus michahellis

(last update: October 08 2013)

Coordinators:
Delfín González
Gabriel Martín
Antonio Gutierrez
Amir Ben Dov
Mars Muusse

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Yellow-legged Gull michahellis 2CY 965X May 01 2003, Etaples, NW France (50.42N,1.34E).

2CY michahellis ringed white 965X, hatched and ringed summer 2002 in S France. 965X has only limited third generation scapulars (1-25% of the upper scapulars) replaced. Most scapulars are still second generation, including the rear lowest feathers. The most recently moulted scapulars show again show a  second generation-like pattern.
The complete moult still hasn't started in 965X, with all primaries still juvenile. All secondaries and rectrices are juvenile as well. All tertials are still juvenile and worn at the fringes. 
In the left wing, all greater coverts are still juvenile, but in the right wing #2 is old second generation (replaced in the first pre-basic moult / post-juvenile moult) and greater coverts #6-9 are missing. 
In the left wing, median coverts #1-3 are juvenile, #4 is missing, #5-7 are old second generation, and the outer medians from #8 onwards are still juvenile.
Lower lesser coverts #1-3 and #5-6 are old second generation, all other lower lessers are juvenile.
Only 40% of the lesser coverts is visible in the folded wing, and of this 40% four feathers have been replaced in the partial post-juvenile moult. 
The bill is only slightly paler at the base and the orbital ring starts to become reddish.

965X was already seen on October 25 2002 at the same spot as 1CY bird. It had then moulted: 1 tertial, 2 greater coverts, 5 medians, 5 lower lessers and 3 lesser coverts.

In the bottom picture, 965X can be seen together with white ringed 171Z, originating from the same breeding colony. It misses the left foot and it shows a delayed moult score with the complete wing and tail still juvenile. 171Z was seen on September 21 2002 and October 25 2002 as well. Of course, it then showed complete juvenile wings and tail as well. The left foot is reported missing since at least April 2003.

01 May 2003

left 965X & centre 171Z.