What kind of gull is this? (Atlantic coast of Morocco) (1 Viewer)

[rsnidjik]

This gull, or gull-like bird, in the photo was seen alongside a group of more familiar white and gray seagulls on the beach near Essaouira, Morocco, on Aug. 16th, 2022. I thought his marking was a bit different. We later spotted several more of these, all mixed in with a large group of the more familiar gulls.

Thanks for any help identifying it.

 

[lou salomon]

Juvenile (with some replaced scapulars, so, technically "1st winter") of the default local species, Larus michahellis.

 

[rsnidjik]

Thank you, lou! So I suppose those spots are going to turn into another kind of coloration as the bird matures, right?

 

[lou salomon]

sure they do, multiple moults (depending on feather type 1-3 times moulted per year) perpetuously transform immature plumages into adults plumage. this 'maturization' on average lasts 3,5 years in large gulls as YLG.