Mediterranean Gull
Least ConcernLarus melanocephalus
Visual Identification
Mediterranean Gull
Appearance
The Mediterranean Gull is a medium-sized gull with a distinctive black head during breeding season. Its body is predominantly white, with pale grey wings and a striking red bill and legs. The wingtips are white, lacking the black markings typical of many other gull species.
In winter, adults lose their black hood, retaining only a dark smudge behind the eye. The beak also becomes a less vibrant shade of dull orange. Males and females are similar in appearance and size.
Juveniles have brown markings on their wings and backs, greyish legs and bill, and gradually moult to adult plumage over three years.
Size
Length
37cm to 40cm
Wingspan
94cm to 102cm
Weight
220g to 350g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
White Black
Secondary Colour
Grey
Beak Colour
Red
Leg Colour
Red
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Mediterranean Gulls primarily inhabit coastal areas, including beaches, estuaries, and lagoons. They breed mainly in southern and eastern Europe, with populations expanding northward in recent decades. During winter, they disperse along coasts from the North Sea to the Mediterranean.
In the UK, they are increasingly common along the southeast coast, particularly in Kent and Sussex and the east coast of Norfolk. Some individuals also venture inland to lakes and reservoirs, especially outside the breeding season.
Elevation Range
Up to 100 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Mediterranean
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Mediterranean Gulls have a varied diet, including small fish, marine invertebrates, insects and some small rodents.
They often follow ploughs to catch invertebrates in freshly turned soil. Unlike many gulls, they rarely scavenge at landfills, preferring natural food sources.
Behaviour
Mediterranean Gulls are often seen loafing on beaches or floating on water. They are less prone to scavenging than other gull species, preferring to forage in fields or shallow waters.
These gulls are generally sociable, often forming mixed flocks with other gull species during non-breeding seasons.
Vocalisation
Mediterranean gulls are not the most vocal of gull species, and their calls are not particularly remarkable or noteworthy. Their call is distinctive among gulls, described as a nasal 'yeouw' or 'yah-ow', with a rising and falling pitch, heard in flight or when foraging.
During the breeding season, they become more vocal, producing a variety of mewing and yelping sounds. Their calls are often likened to a cat's meow, setting them apart from the harsher cries of other gull species.
Nesting & Breeding
Mediterranean Gulls typically breed in dense colonies, often alongside other gull species. Pair formation begins in late winter, with breeding occurring from April to July. They prefer to nest on coastal islands or marshes with low vegetation.
Nests are shallow scrapes on the ground, lined with vegetation. Females usually lay 2-3 eggs, which are olive-brown with dark spots. Both parents share incubation duties.
Incubation lasts about 23-25 days, and chicks fledge after 35-40 days. Parents continue to care for their young for several weeks after fledging.
Lifespan
years
The Mediterranean Gull typically lives for 10 to 15 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, Mediterranean Gulls face threats from habitat loss and pollution in coastal areas.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding sites and managing wetland habitats. Climate change may affect their distribution and breeding success in the future.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for their distinctive white wingtips in flight
- Listen for their nasal 'yeouw' call, different from other gulls
- Check coastal lagoons and estuaries during the winter months
- In the UK, visit southeast coastal areas where they are increasingly common
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Black-headed Mediterranean Gull
Family:
LaridaePredators
Main predators include large raptors, such as Peregrine Falcons and White-tailed Eagles, as well as mammals like foxes that may raid nesting colonies.
Did You Know?
- Mediterranean Gulls can live over 20 years in the wild.
- They are expanding their range northward, possibly due to climate change.
- Unlike most gulls, they have completely white wingtips.
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References
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website: BirdLife International. 2019. Larus melanocephalus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22694443A154572305.
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