Summer plumage. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on March 29th 2021. (© David Hastings)
(1/2000th sec at f11. Click image for larger version)
Winter plumage. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on October 7th 2018. (© David Hastings)
(1/1000th sec at f16. Click image for larger version)
Winter plumage. Taken at Radley Lakes, Oxon., on January 3rd 2018. (© David Hastings)
(1/2500th sec at f13. Click image for larger version)
Juvenile. Taken at Morecambe Bay, Lancs, on June 24th 2022. (© David Hastings)
(1/1000th sec at f8. Click image for larger version)

Description

L: 35 - 39 cm; WS: 86 - 99 cm

The Black-headed Gull has a chocolate-brown (not black) head, but only in the summer. For the rest of the year its head is almost white, with just a black smudge behind the eye. This species has two age groups (three in late summer).

It can be found almost anywhere inland and on the coast.

Many Black-headed Gulls never see the sea, as the combination of inland reservoirs and rubbish dumps exactly suits their needs.

Black-headed Gulls are sociable, quarrelsome, noisy birds, usually seen in small groups or flocks, often gathering into larger parties where there is plenty of food, or when they are roosting.

It has amber status on the British list. Around 138000 pairs breed in Britain, but over two million birds spend the winter here.

Sightings