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

(last update: 10-2-2011)

Larus fuscus fuscus (sub)adult, April 08 2011, Ashdod. Picture Amir Ben Dov.

Adult-like bird, but obvious black on the bill. Not territorial in the breeding area; instead still in Israel by April, which may suggest a non-breeding sub-adult, although true adults may stay in Israel as well in the first two weeks of April.
4cy birds can sometimes be aged by dark markings on the underwing coverts or black markings in the tail. However, many 4cy and certainly 5cy birds are very difficult to age.