Yellow-legged Gull - Geelpootmeeuw (L. michahellis): sub-ad August

(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 01: Yellow-legged Gull michahellis 4cy, August 25 2000, Etaples, France (50.43N,01.37E).

A sub-adult michahellis with active moult in the tail-feathers and primaries. Some features may indicate this bird is in 4cy:

• The bill has an obvious black mark on the upper mandible near the gonydeal angle.
• The red spot on the gonydeal angle doesn't reach the upper mandible. In older birds this red spot extends on the upper mandible. 
• The old secondaries have a brown hue and black centres, especially visible now the greater coverts have been shed.
• The outer primary coverts are completely dark.
• The old P10 is third generation and shows a white mirror, although obvious less pronounced and smaller than in adults. Wear in the feather tip may be extensive and especially the white parts of feathers may wear away. In most cases, close examination will reveal there was a mirror present.

As in most individuals, this 4cy michahellis shows features of both adults and immatures. P6 is almost as long as P5, already visible beneath the tertials. Note the head streaking, now the head feathers have been moulted recently.