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

(last update: 10-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus sub-adult, February 27 2001, Bahrain: Ashkar beach.

The head is white with streaks concentrated in the lower neck. The orbital ring is red.

Mantle, scapulars and coverts are a mixture of recently moulted jet-black feathers and older brown-hued feathers. There is a brown, mahogany cast over the upper-parts.

Visible primaries are at least 3rd generation. P10 has a white mirror and the visible primaries show very small white tips, although some are worn away. In image 1 the white tips are visible at least at p3-p7.

In image 2, the tail is spread. A pattern of completely white with sparse markings on the tail-feathers. Such a tail pattern is common in 3cy fuscus, but might also fit a 4cy bird. 

The bill shows some black markings at the gonydeal angle and there is a hint of a red gonydeal spot. Together with the almost translucent tip, the pale yellow iris and the pale yellow legs, these are strong clues for sub-adultness. This fuscus is probably a 3cy or 4cy bird, with the upper-parts jet-black.