Yellow-legged Gull- Geelpootmeeuw (L. michahellis): 2cy June

(last update: 08 december 2003)

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photo 1334: Yellow-legged Gull michahellis 2cy, June 14 2002, Etaples, NW France.

2cy michahellis image 1325.2cy michahellis image 1328.The individual below is very reminiscent of the two bird depicted left and right, although moult in the wing-coverts is much more ahead. Primary moult stage: P7 has been shed and P8-P10 are still juvenile. P5 is at the final length (visible beneath the lower tertials) and P6 is growing. Most of the wing-coverts have been renewed. The gaps at the central median and the central greater coverts will be closed soon at about covert #7 or #8, which are currently still not fully grown. The upper tertials are replaced as well. This individual is illustrative for 2cy michahellis moulting to 'barred' birds by the end of June, early July. See e.g. this 2cy from the end of June. All upper scapulars and most of the lower scapulars have been moulted to new barred scapulars and the scapulars in the lowest row are still growing. Last old wing-coverts can be found in the upper rows of the lesser coverts, but considering the pretty neat and jet-back centres, these lesser coverts may have been moulted once before, and are currently second generation feathers.
The soft parts still look immature; the iris and bill are black, the legs are pale flesh pink, as can be seen in most 2cy michahellis.