Black-headed Gull Similar Species Comparison

Breeding adult

Adult in breeding plumage has a dark brown hood covering about two-thirds of the head, thin white crescents above and below the eye, pale gray upperparts, and white underparts. The legs and slender bill are both dark red.

Breeding adult

A medium-sized gull found across much of Europe and Asia. Often very common on beaches, in parks, and in other areas around people.

A common species across much of Europe and Asia, often found in flocks. Adults in breeding plumage have a dark brown hood covering about two-thirds of the head, thin white crescents above and below the eyes, pale gray upperparts, white underparts, and dark red legs and bill.

Nonbreeding adult

Nonbreeding adult has dark smudging above and behind the eye and a dusky-tipped red bill.

Immature

Immature has two dark marks on the head, one above the eye and the other behind it. The back is pale gray, like an adult, but the wings show some brown feathers, like a juvenile. The legs are orange, and the bill is orange with a dark tip.

Some pairs nest on emergent vegetation in shallow water, with others nesting on the ground among vegetation.

Juvenile

Juvenile has mostly brown upperparts, with some lighter feathers and pale feather edging mixed in. The head has a hint of a hood, with two stronger marks in front of and behind the eye. White eye crescents are detectable at close range. The bill is bicolored, with a black tip. The legs are pinkish.

Breeding adult

In flight, breeding adult’s underwing shows a white leading edge contrasting strongly with adjacent black primaries.

Often gathers in flocks outside of the breeding season. Nonbreeding adults have dark smudges above and behind the eye. Immatures have brown coverts and tertials and a black band near the tip of the tail.

Nonbreeding adult

Adult in flight has a white leading edge on both the upperwing and underwing; the white on the upperwing is bordered by a black trailing edge.

Immature

In all plumages, the upperwing has a white leading edge bordered by a black trailing edge. Immature has the head and back pattern of an adult, and the wing and tail pattern of a juvenile (including brown upperwing coverts and a black band at the tip of the tail).

Typically forages by walking and then seizing prey.

Juvenile

In all plumages, the upperwing has a white leading edge bordered by a black trailing edge. Juvenile has a brown back, dark tail band, bicolored bill, dusky head, and brown upperwing coverts.

Flock

Black-headed Gulls nest in colonies and often gather in large flocks during the winter.