Lesser Black-backed Gull- Kleine Mantelmeeuw (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: 22-2-2011)

2 images: LBBG 3cy 4238977 October 11 2003 Westkapelle, the Netherlands.

Ringed in N Germany, island Helgoland: a 3cy LBBG 'Dutch intergrade' / intermedius metal ringed right Helgoland 4238977. This population can be placed between 'Dutch intergrade' and intermedius, or one may assume them to belong to either one of both taxa.

P8 is fully grown and P9 is at the length of P6. The rectrices have been replaced for largely white new feathers. The outer secondaries are typical third generation: in general adult-like but with obvious dark, blackish centres, visible in the bottom image. The bill is pale-yellow, with the red gonydeal spot almost completely obscured by the broad black bill-band. The iris is white-yellow, without obvious speckling. The orbital ring is very dark red.
Note the black centre on the central tertial (tt3-6) in the top image.