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

(last update: 08 december 2003)

ORG SITE

YLG 1cy May
YLG 1cy June
YLG 1cy July
YLG 1cy August
YLG 1cy September
YLG 1cy October
YLG 1cy November
YLG 1cy December

photo 4229: Yellow-legged Gull michahellis 3cy, May 04 2001, 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 almost 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). This individual has included only few wing-coverts in the partial moult, but note that some of these feathers are still second generation-like in their pattern. The two inner greater coverts, the inner and central medians and a few lower lesser coverts have been repaced last autumn. The two 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.
Note the colour of the iris and the orbital ring.