General

Black-headed Gull: Medium-sized gull with pale gray back and upperwings and dark brown face and partial hood. Nape, neck, breast, belly, and tail are white. Bill and legs are dark red. Wings have white triangular panel formed at the leading edge of black-tipped primaries in flight. Sexes are similar. Winter adult lacks black hood and face but has black spot behind eye. Juvenile has brown back, shoulders, and wings, constrasting black terminal band on white tail, dark-tipped pale bill, and pale orange legs; gradually exhibits varying degrees of adult plumage over two years.

Range and Habitat

Black-headed Gull: Breeds from southern Greenland through most of Europe and central Asia to Kamchatka and northeast China. In North America breeds along Atlantic coast from Labrador, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia to New York. Nests in coastal and freshwater marshes, and lakes; spends winters on estuaries, wetlands, reservoirs, ploughed fields, pastures, and landfills.

Breeding and Nesting

Black-headed Gull: Two to four gray green or yellow eggs marked with brown and olive are laid in a scrape on the ground or on a pile of dead plant material. Incubation ranges from 21 to 27 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Black-headed Gull: Feeds on insects, worms, carrion and scraps, scavenges on household and industrial waste, and steals food from other birds.

Vocalization

Black-headed Gull: Gives a variety of calls, including a harsh "kree-aaa."

Similar Species

Black-headed Gull: Bonaparte's Gull has dark bill in all plumages and is pale under primaries. Adult Little Gull lacks black on upper surface of wings and has dark bill and underwings.