photo
02: Yellow-legged Gull michahellis 3CY, August 25 2001, Le Portel,
France (50.42N,1.34E).
Note the tail: the new third generation
tail-feathers still show dark markings. The second generation feathers
normally have a broad sub-terminal band. These new, recently moulted third
generation feathers have restricted black markings, often confined to one
web of the feather. This pattern results in a blocked black-and-white
pattern in the tail; a pattern commonly seen in 3CY. YThe pattern may also
result from all-white third generation feathers, between feathers with
black markings.
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