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 543C 4CY, November 25 2003, Sète, S France. Photo Ruud Altenburg.

In all respects an example of an adult michahellis: the orbital ring is red, the iris is yellow with clouded hue, the bill and legs are yellow, although the red gonydeal spot doesn't continue on the upper mandible. Note the black band on the bill, which is not uncommon in adult birds in winter, but when this much black is present, it indicates near-adultness. The mirror on P10 is separated from the white tip by a complete sub-terminal band. By November, the primary moult is completed.