(2 images)
Yellow-legged Gull michahellis 2cy, April 30 2003, Etaples, NW
France (50.42N,1.34E).
A 2cy michahellis from
late-April. This is an example of michahellis which do not replace
many wing-coverts in the partial autumn moult as 1cy. In general, the
wing-coverts panel consists mainly of abraded juvenile feathers. In this
individual, the outer lower lesser coverts and outer median coverts are
missing, indicating that the complete moult has started.
This is probably a female. In the
background: two 3cy michahellis and four 2cy michahellis. At
the bottom picture: the bird in front is 2cy michahellis 071Z,
ringed in S France in 2002.
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