The title of Black-headed Gull is rather a misnomer for this bird as its head is not black but a dark brown colour and only in adult birds during the breeding season. It is not present during the winter months or in other plumages. Unlike many gulls it is not restricted to coastal regions and is widespread inland in both rural and urban areas.

Black-Headed Gull

What does a Black-headed Gull look like?

In breeding plumage, adults have a dark brown or chocolate brown hood which extends from the crown of the head down across the cheeks and under the chin.

There is a partial white eye ring and deep red bill and legs. The back of the bird is a pale grey whilst the neck, underparts and tail are white.

The wings are mainly mid-grey in colour with the outer primary flight feathers white, edged and tipped in black. Non-breeding adults are similar but lack the brown hood revealing a white head with a dark ear spot with some birds also showing dark splashes or shading on the forehead and nape of the neck.

Juvenile birds are predominantly brown with some 'scale' markings on the neck, back, upper wings and tail, which is tipped black. The bill and legs are a greyish pink in colour.

Black-headed Gull in alternative plumage

What does a Black-headed Gull sound like?

A relatively vociferous bird, black-headed gulls are loud to the extreme in the breeding season, using chattering and squealing calls of 'krrrreeeeaaar' and shorter 'kuk – kuk – kuk' or 'kekek'.

Susanne Kuijpers, XC652968. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/652968.

Black-headed Gull landing

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What does a Black-headed Gull eat?

A diet of fish, worms, insects and seeds keep coastal birds nourished whilst those venturing inland also dine on carrion and are adept at foraging in and around domestic refuse dumps.

Black-headed Gulls with their winter plumage

Distribution

The black-headed gull is monotypic and limited to the northern hemisphere where it is widespread throughout the majority of Europe including Greenland and Iceland.

It is also found across Central Asia as far as the volcanic Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east of Russia and North-eastern China.

Limited numbers are also present on the East coast of North America and Southeast Canada.

During the winter months, the majority of the species migrates to sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and the Indian sub-continent whilst small numbers remain in Southwest Europe throughout the year.

Black-headed Gull sat on the water

Signs and Spotting tips

Black-headed gulls can be found in almost any environment within their range including but not limited to, marine and intertidal, salt flats and marshland, wetland, grassland, farmland, urban and suburban areas, freshwater reservoirs and gravel pits, refuse dumps, and sewage farms.

They are sociable birds often congregating in large flocks but also quarrelsome and noisy. They can frequently be seen in large numbers roosting on the grounds near food sources.

Juvenile Black-headed Gull

Breeding

Large breeding colonies are often occupied from March each year and nests are constructed on the ground out of twigs and grass stems on top of marshy ground or vegetation.

Occasionally individual pairs will nest alone away from the colony. One brood of 1 – 3 eggs is produced annually between April to June and incubated for up to twenty-six days.

The chicks fledge after thirty-five days.

Black-headed Gull nest site

Black-headed Gull nest

How long do Black-headed Gulls live for?

The life expectancy of the black-headed gull is between 10 to 15 years although specimens of over 30 years of age have been recorded.