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

(last update: 10-2-2011)

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

Adult-like bird, with almost no black on the bill and large mirror on P10. Not territorial in the breeding area; instead still in Israel by April, which suggest a non-breeding sub-adult. 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.