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

(last update: 24-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 2cy-3cy C84A June 21 2007 & April 28-29 2008, Nokia, Finland. Pictures: Hannu Koskinen.

2cy and 3cy Baltic Gull Larus fuscus red "C84A" in active moult by June.

2cy red "C84A" has active moult in the wing-coverts. Some coverts and upper tertial are missing. All rectrices have been renewed during winter; the juvenile uppertail-coverts are bleached and brown. Outer juvenile primaries are very worn and bleached pale brown. Outer five primaries (P6-P10) are still juvenile, P4-P5 are missing, P3 is growing and P1-P2 are new 2nd-generation feathers. Moult in the left wing is a bit slower. The secondaries are 2nd generation, except three inner feathers (at the point where two moult waves meet in the secondaries) in the right wing. There is just one juvenile secondary in the left wing.
In general: a slow retarded moulting bird, returned from the winter grounds with juvenile primaries.

Below: 3cy Larus fuscus red "C84A" at Nokia Koukkujärvi dump, Finland April 28 2008. Pictures: Hannu Koskinen.

Tail feathers forming obvious tail-band. Secondaries replaced. Arrested moult in the primaries at P6. P7-P10 brownish, slightly bleached 2nd gen. P10 without a mirror.