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

(last update: 7-12-2010)

Larus fuscus fuscus 3cy, November 15 2010, Maagan Michael. Picture Amir Ben Dov.

3cy nominate fuscus by October, but such birds sometimes remarkable difficult to age accurately. Very worn completely white tail and already worn P4-P6 (adult-like) which are visible underneath the tertials does not suggest 2cy in autumn however. Inner primaries up to P6 have been replaced earlier, leaving a moult contrast between P6 and P7, which is often found in 3cy fuscus seen in Finland in summer, a few months ago. As the upper tertials and several central median coverts look very fresh, it might well be possible this individual has replaced some inner primaries recently. Unfortunately, not visible in these images of the bird preening. New wing-coverts jet-black; old wing-coverts with a brown hue.