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

(last update: 26-2-2011)

Larus fuscus fuscus CJP3 2009 - 2011, Ashdod, Israel. Pictures Amir Ben Dov.

CJP3 has been ringed as pullus at Luopioinen, Finland (61.3719, 24.6304) on June 30 1998 by ringer Risto Juvaste.

below: 12cy CJP3 November 20 2009, Ashdod, Israel. Pictures Amir Ben Dov.

P6 is fully grown, P7 almost equals the length of P6. P8 missing and P9-P10 are still old. Secondaries moulted as well, with the outermost feather replaced and a small gap inwards. Secondaries will probably be replaced at higher pace, with larger moult gaps. Ordinary moult sequence will result in two waves in the secondaries, one has already started in the outermost feathers, and another wave will start from the body. These two waves will meet at about secondaries 16-17. Simultaneously with secondary moult, the rectrices are replaced as well, moult in these feathers follow a centrifugal sequence.

below: 13cy CJP3 January 02 2010, Ashdod, Israel. Pictures Amir Ben Dov.

P8 fully grown, P9 is growing and almost as long as P8, P10 is at about 1/2th of its final length. Active moult in the secondaries. The secondary row is moulted from two locations: the first moult wave starts at S1 (outermost secondary, next to the first primary P1). Shortly later, another secondary moult wave will start from the body, outwards. The two waves will meet at about S16-S18, that is where the gap is in this bird. Tail complete.

below: 13cy CJP3 March 30 2010, Ashdod, Israel. Pictures Amir Ben Dov.

Black on bill.

below: 13cy CJP3 November 26 2010, Ashdod. Pictures Amir Ben Dov.

Complete moult halfway: P5 fully grown, P8-P10 still old.

below: 14cy CJP3 February 12 2011, Ashdod. Pictures Amir Ben Dov.

Complete moult almost finished: P9 fully grown, P10 still to grown a few inches.