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Larus canus

Above: 1st winter/2nd calendar year (Essex, 27 February 2010)

Apart from a few grey mantle feathers, this bird is in very late juvenile plumage. Individuals showing juvenile plumage at this time of year are often runts, in poor health or otherwise in poor condition, hence their delayed or suspended moult. However, this individual is seemingly in good health and showing no morphological problems.