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

(last update: 08 december 2003)

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photo 5537: Yellow-legged Gull michahellis sub-adult, July 26 2001, Etaples, France (50.43N,01.37E).

A sub-adult michahellis with active moult in the tail-feathers and primaries. As in many immatures, the old primary P10 only shows a small mirror. The outer primaries are old: P8-P10 still have to be shed. The central tail-feathers are growing and appear all-white. The upper two tertials have been shed and new grey feathers are growing. Active moult continues in the lesser coverts and the two inner greater coverts are growing. In the scapular region feathers have been shed as well and moult in the head feathers creates a moth-eaten appearance. Note the typical immature black markings on the outer secondaries, visible now the central greater coverts have been shed. Note also the black markings in the old outer rectrices.