Black-Headed Gull
Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Aves › Charadriiformes › Laridae › Chroicocephalus
Conservation status: least_concern
The Black-headed Gull is a small, elegant gull with a distinctive dark brown or black head during breeding season, though this marking disappears in winter leaving just a dark ear spot. In flight, you'll notice its pale gray wings with white spots near the tips and white underparts, making it easy to spot around lakes, coasts, and urban areas across Europe and Asia.
How To Identify
This is a medium-sized gull featuring clean white body plumage contrasted by slate-gray wings and tail. It is easily distinguished by the adult male's bold black head markings that extend over the crown and nape.
Habitat
The Black-Headed Gull lives in lakes, rivers, farmland, and coasts.
Behaviour
The Black-Headed Gull follows the plough and exhibits aggressive mob behavior at colonies.
Native Range
The black-headed gull breeds across the Palearctic over much of Europe and northern Asia, from Iceland and Ireland east to Japan and eastern China.
Did You Know?
Its 'black' head is actually dark brown, and it disappears in winter to leave just a dark ear-spot.
Create a free account to log your sightings of the Black-Headed Gull, see where it has been recorded near you and build your Wild List.
Privacy · Terms · Credits · Join the beta