Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: May 17 2015)

Lesser Black-backed Gull 2CY, July 18 2013, Katwijk, the Netherlands.

Unringed, hence no provenance about origin, but in all respects nice match to local "Dutch intergrade" Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Bird in complete moult: P5/P8. Central GC growing, GC6-GC8 which are the last to be replaced in a common moult strategy. S1 growing and S2 about to be shed. Within the next week, the outer secondaries will be dropped almost simultaneously, in small groups so leaving a large moult gap in this feather tract in summer. All rectrices, except R5, missing and growing. Central tail-feathers are longest as they were shed first and moult waves progress centrifugal outwards.