Black-headed Gull

Larus ridibundus

Least Concern
Known for its distinctive chocolate-brown hood during breeding season, this coastal character transforms beaches and lakes into lively gathering spots.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Black-headed Gull exhibits a striking seasonal transformation. In summer, it sports a dark chocolate-brown hood, contrasting sharply with its white body, pale grey wings, bright red bill and legs. The wingtips are black, creating a distinctive pattern in flight.

The dark hood disappears during winter, replaced by a white head with a dark ear spot. Juveniles have brown-mottled wings and a dark terminal tail band, gradually acquiring adult plumage over several years.

Size

Length

38cm to 44cm

Wingspan

94cm to 105cm

Weight

200g to 400g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White Grey

Secondary Colour

Black Brown

Beak Colour

Red

Leg Colour

Red

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Black-headed Gull is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Black-headed Gull is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Black-headed Gull can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Black-headed Gull can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Black-headed Gull can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Black-headed Gull is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Black-headed Gull is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Black-headed Gull is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Black-headed Gull is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Black-headed Gull is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Black-headed Gull is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Black-headed Gull is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Black-headed Gulls are widely distributed across Europe and Asia, with some populations in eastern North America. They thrive in various aquatic habitats, including coastal areas, estuaries, lakes, and rivers. During the breeding season, they prefer inland freshwater bodies.

In winter, many birds move to coastal regions, with significant populations in the UK, Ireland, and other parts of Western Europe. They've also adapted well to urban environments, becoming common in city parks and harbors.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Black-headed Gull. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Algeria Antigua and Barbuda Austria Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Benin Bermuda Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Burkina Faso Cambodia Canada Cape Verde Côte D'Ivoire Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Egypt Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faroe Islands Finland France French Guiana Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Greenland Guadeloupe Guinea-Bissau Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Japan Jordan Kenya Kuwait Laos Latvia Lebanon Libya Lithuania Macedonia Malaysia Mali Martinique Mauritania Mexico Moldova Monaco Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Myanmar Nepal Netherlands Niger Nigeria North Korea Norway Pakistan Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Somalia South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand The United Kingdom Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Uganda Ukraine Vietnam Western Sahara Yemen
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Armenia Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Liechtenstein Mongolia Russia Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands United States of America Uzbekistan
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
Albania China Cyprus Gibraltar Luxembourg Malta Micronesia Oman Palestine Qatar South Sudan United Arab Emirates US Virgin Islands
Species that pass through the area during migration
Afghanistan
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Angola Australia Botswana Brunei Burundi Cameroon Chad Cuba Democratic Republic of the Congo Grenada Guinea Liberia Maldives Papua New Guinea Seychelles Sierra Leone South Africa The Bahamas Togo Turks and Caicos Zimbabwe

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Black-headed Gull demonstrates remarkable agility, particularly in flight. Their ability to catch insects mid-air and skilfully pluck food from water surfaces showcases their nimble nature. Their adept manoeuvrability in various environments, from coastal winds to urban settings, further supports this high agility rating.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not exceptionally strong for their size, Black-headed Gulls possess moderate strength. Their ability to navigate diverse habitats, from windswept shorelines to urban areas, and to carry nesting materials suggests a reasonable level of strength. However, they are not known for tackling large prey or performing feats requiring extraordinary power.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Black-headed Gulls excel in adaptability. Their presence in varied habitats, from coastal areas to urban parks, and their diverse diet, including both natural prey and human food waste, demonstrate exceptional adaptability. Their ability to thrive in changing environments and exploit new food sources is particularly noteworthy.

Aggressiveness 70

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

These gulls display moderate to high aggressiveness, particularly during breeding season. Their behaviour in large, noisy colonies and their ability to compete for food in urban environments indicate a assertive nature. However, they are not considered exceptionally aggressive compared to some other gull species.

Endurance 75

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Black-headed Gulls show good endurance, evidenced by their partial migratory behaviour and ability to thrive in diverse climates. Their capacity to forage extensively and maintain activity in various weather conditions supports this rating. While not extreme long-distance migrants, their adaptability to different environments suggests solid endurance.

Diet

Black-headed Gulls are opportunistic feeders with a diverse diet. They consume small fish, insects, worms, and crustaceans, often following ploughs to catch invertebrates.

In urban areas, they readily scavenge human food waste, demonstrating their adaptability to various food sources.

Behaviour

Black-headed Gulls are highly social, often seen in large, noisy flocks. They exhibit remarkable agility in flight, skilfully catching insects mid-air or plucking food from the water's surface.

These adaptable birds have also become adept at urban foraging, frequenting parks and scavenging from human food sources.

Vocalisation

Black-headed Gulls are vocal birds, known for their raucous 'kree-ar' call, often heard in large breeding colonies.

They also produce various other sounds, including a sharp 'kek-kek-kek' alarm call and softer 'mewing' notes during courtship and pair bonding.

Nesting & Breeding

Black-headed Gulls typically breed in large, noisy colonies from April to July. Courtship involves elaborate displays, including head-bobbing and mewing calls. Pairs often reunite in subsequent breeding seasons.

Nests are built on the ground near water, constructed from vegetation and lined with softer materials. Females lay 2-3 olive-brown eggs with dark splotches, well-camouflaged against predators.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 23-26 days. Chicks fledge after 35-40 days but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks, learning crucial foraging skills.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Black-headed Gulls face threats from habitat loss, particularly in coastal breeding areas. Climate change and pollution also pose risks.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland habitats and managing urban interactions to ensure population stability.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

4,800,000 - 8,900,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for large flocks in coastal areas, especially during winter
  • In urban areas, check parks and waterbodies for these adaptable gulls
  • Listen for their distinctive 'kree-ar' call, especially in breeding colonies
  • Observe their agile flight and feeding behavior over water

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Common Black-headed Gull

Family:

Laridae

Average Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Max Lifespan

32.9 years [3]

Predators

Main predators include large birds of prey such as Peregrine Falcons and Great Black-backed Gulls, as well as foxes and rats that may raid nests.

Did You Know?

  1. Despite their name, Black-headed Gulls actually have chocolate-brown heads during the breeding season.
  2. They can drink fresh and salt water, thanks to special glands that excrete excess salt.
  3. These gulls have been observed 'paddling' their feet on the ground to imitate rainfall and bring worms to the surface.

References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2018. Larus ridibundus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22694420A132548687.

    View source
  2. 2 3

    report, 2015: Wetlands International

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