nominate Lesser Black-backed Gull (L. f. fuscus)

(last update: 26-2-2011)

Larus fuscus fuscus 2cy, March 12 2011, Ashdod, Israel. Picture Amir Ben Dov.

Just starting the moult at the wintering grounds. P1 growing, P2 missing, P3-P10 juvenile. Moult in wing very similar to that of the complete moult of 2cy graellsii / intermedius, as it takes place in the summer months. While P1 is growing, the central median coverts are dropped. the first new coverts already appear at the inner median, inner lower lesser and inner two greater coverts. Scapulars have been replaced, and also the upper tertials.
Thus, in many respects it is a shifted complete moult, shifted to an earlier period. However, many fuscus show replaced rectrices in an early stage; unlike graellsii. which start tail-feather moult when P6 is growing.