Yellow-legged Gull - Geelpootmeeuw (L. michahellis): 3cy May

(last update: 08 december 2003)

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YLG 1cy May
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YLG 1cy December

photo 415: Yellow-legged Gull michahellis 3cy, May 17 2002, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E).

By May, 3cy michahellis show yellow legs, a clear yellow base of the bill, a red gonydeal spot (although often obscured by the black bill-band) and complete grey upper-parts (mantle and scapular region). The complete moult in the wing-coverts has started in this individual. 
Most grey feathers in the wing-coverts are in better condition than the barred feathers, and apparently moulted later, i.e. in the partial autumn moult in 2cy (September-October). The inner greater coverts, the inner medians, many lower lesser and some lesser coverts appear plain grey. The upper tertials are at least third generation as well, maybe even fourth generation, depending on the extend of the partial post-juvenile moult and the partial autumn moult as 2cy.