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

(last update: 18-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 2cy June 08 2008, Tampere, Finland. Images Hannu Koskinen.

2cy fuscus in spring, with some dark blackish new scapulars and recently replaced upper tertial and wing-coverts. Inner greater coverts 2nd gen. In the open wing, note the juvenile outer gc. All median coverts replaced, outer feathers last and those look darker. Lower lesser coverts last replaced 2nd gen feathers and therefore looks darkish as well, with ill-defined darker central wedge. Lesser coverts most juvenile, forming a juvenile carpal edge. Tertials and all of the tail-feathers moulted to 2nd gen. Inner two primaries (P1-P2) replaced as well, but outer primaries and all except a few secondaries still juvenile (left wing inner secondaries 2nd gen).