Slightly larger than a black-headed gull, with an all-black head in the breeding season. Adults have white wing-tips and underwings, younger birds have more wing markings. It has a large, slightly drooped beak, bright red when adult. A very rare UK bird until the 1950s, it is widespread in winter and breeding in ever increasing numbers. Its present UK breeding population makes it an Amber List species.
Key ID Features
Summer adults have a full black head, white eye-lids, red legs and a red bill with a black band near the tip, thicker than that of Black -headed Gull.
Adults lack the black wing tips which is a key to separating them from Black-headed Gulls in winter.
Winter adults have red to black legs and matching bill colour, a greyish nape and a dark patch around the eye which makes the white eye-lids visible all year round.
Juveniles do have long black wing tips, as Black-headed Gull, but has a much blacker, mottled back.
1st winter birds are similar to winter adults but have black spots on white wing tips.
Overview
Scientific name: Larus melanocephalus
Family: Gulls (Laridae)
Where to see them:
Mainly found along the east and south coasts of England. Most of the breeding population nest within black-headed gull colonies at coastal wetlands. More widespread in winter with some beaches in Norfolk and Kent attracting more than a hundred Mediterranean gulls. Also found inland in small numbers wherever black-headed and common Gulls gather (especially in roosts on reservoirs).
Seen in UK:
All year round.
What they eat
Insects, fish, offal and carrion.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Location: Radipole, Weymouth
Photographer: Tim Tapley
