Yellow-legged
Gull - Larus michahellis
(last update: October 08 2013)
Coordinators:
Delfín González
Gabriel Martín
Antonio Gutierrez
Amir Ben Dov
Mars Muusse
Yellow-legged Gull michahellis 2CY, January 04 2002, Etaples - Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France (50.44N,1.35E).
A 2CY michahellis with tertials
#1-4 moulted to second generation feathers with a broad white fringe on
the last moulted central tertials. Greater coverts #1-4 are second
generation as well, with #4 moulted last in line showing a greyish base.
The central and outer greater coverts are still juvenile. Median coverts
#1-3 are old second generation coverts with the base-colour bleached to
white; #4 is fresher, #5 is missing, #6-10 are later moulted second
generation feathers and #11 is missing again. Clearly, this bird is in
active moult. Six lower lesser coverts have been replaced by second
generation feathers. About 70% of the lesser coverts has been replaced by
second generation feathers as well.
The lowest row of lower scapulars are fresh feathers with a grey base on
the last replaced feathers. One upper lower scapular is missing and will
be replaced for a third generation feather. Two upper scapulars are
missing as well; again there is active moult in this feather tract. So as
the lowest scapulars are just molted to second generation, the upper
scapulars are now moulted to third generation.
The head shows a dark patch around the eye which extends on the nape and a
boldly streaked neck-collar. The bill is all dark.
