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

(last update: 1-3-2010)

Larus fuscus fuscus 2cy-6cy CYHP, 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2008, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E). Pictures Hannu Koskinen & Visa Rauste.

This bird has been ringed in Finland, as pullus on June 26 2003 at Pälkäne, SW Finland.
CYHP has been a very slow moulting bird as 2cy. In many respects, the moult strategy and timing was very similar to birds from Western populations (graellsii / intermedius). See also HERE.

below: 2cy CYHP June 02 2004, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E). Picture Hannu Koskinen.

Superficially it resembles the western taxa, but upon arrival in Finland, CYHP had already replaced all visible wing coverts, the complete tail and many secondaries. Except for S1, all visible secondaries in the right wing in plate 6 appear to have been renewed; the left wing is not possible to judge properly. By mid-July, P5/6 has been dropped, P1-3 are fully grown and P4-5 are growing; such a small moult gap is regularly seen in fuscus. By that time, CYHP is also replacing scapulars and wing coverts to third generation feathers. The fresh third generation wing coverts show an internal pattern and a rather pale tone of grey, a unusual combination for fuscus.

below: 2cy CYHP July 11 2004, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E). Picture Visa Rauste.

below: 2cy CYHP July 17 2004, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E). Picture Visa Rauste.

below: 3cy CYHP May 14 2005, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E). Picture Visa Rauste.

At a later age, the mantle and wing appeared to be much paler than the average fuscus. Birds such as CYHP are rare in Finland, but they occur. For now, it is unclear if CYHP simply demonstrates the variation within fuscus or if it represents the product of a hybrid pairing. In any case, the few birds like CYHP observed thus far do not resemble Heuglin's Gull in their second calendar year.

below: 4cy CYHP April 23 2006, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E). Picture Visa Rauste.

below: 6cy CYHP, May 08 2008, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E). Pictures Hannu Koskinen.

Now, in 2008, CYHP is in 6cy, and a very pale bird, compared to average nominate fuscus. This pale grey bird is in 6cy now. No sub-terminal black on P1-P3.

below: 6cy CYHP, May 01 2008, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E). Pictures Visa Rauste.