www.gull-research.org

Posted: **Fri Mar 15, 2013 10:47 pm**

Hi,
i photographed this gull in Barletta (BT- Southern Italy) the 09 of March 2013

Can you help me for a correct identification?
Thank you.

Giuseppe

Posted: **Fri Mar 15, 2013 11:46 pm**

3rd winter lesser black-backed gull, possibly intermedius.

Theo

Posted: **Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:01 am**

Thanks for the reply, Theo.
Just another question: the state of moult is ok for this time?
Thanks.
Giuseppe

Posted: **Sat Mar 16, 2013 7:44 pm**

I am interested to see an open wing to find out if feathers are missing or broken....

Theo

Posted: **Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:07 pm**

Below two pictures taken on 09/02/2013

Posted: **Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:13 pm**

These were taken on 16/02/2013

Posted: **Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:16 pm**

And this today

Thanks again for the help.
Giuseppe

Posted: **Wed Mar 20, 2013 10:02 am**

Well well Giuseppe,
Very nice pictures this bird, nicely demonstrates late winter / early spring moult in LBBG. Well documented!
From ring recoveries we know moult in the inner primaries, in 3CY spring birds, can be found in all subspecies: of course fuscus and heuglini, but also intermedius and even graellsii (at least NW European continental graellsii).
Example birds can be found on ORG:
fuscus: http://www.israel.gull-research.org/fus ... rch11.html
heuglini: http://gull-research.org/heuglini/heug3 ... rch06.html
intermedius: http://www.gull-research.org/lbbg3cya/svs810679x.htm
graellsii: http://www.gull-research.org/lbbg3cya/5366282.htm

Upperpart grey tone suggests this is not nominate fuscus.
Something different: Do you have ringed LBBG in your region as well?

Mars

Help id.