Progression of an individual Yellow-legged Gull from 2W (3cy) to Adult

© A. R. Dean

Images 5 to 10.  2S (3cy), late May/early June 2010.

(Image 1 in the series is at 20/01/2010).

Note smooth, dark grey mantle and scapulars, with new grey feathers emerging also in median and greater coverts. The innermost primaries and an outer tail-feather have been dropped, signalling the onset of moult into third-winter plumage. Note also: pattern of tertials (with solid blackish base); black tail-band contrasting with clean white base to tail and tail-coverts; dark mottling on underwing; pale 'window' on inner primaries (intermediate in prominence between LBB and Herring Gull); clean white head and underbody; powerful bill and rather flat-topped head-shape; red orbital ring surrounding iris. Bare parts are quite advanced, with obvious yellow component in legs and rich yellow bill with red spot developing on gonys but prominent sub-terminal black band retained.