This is the smallest of the common gulls
and is easily distinguished, when, in spring and summer it has a dark
brown, nearly black, head. At other times it can quite easily be confused
with the Common Gull (Larus canus), as it is the most commonest
of our gulls on inland waters. This because the winter plumage of the
Black Headed Gull is without the black head, having only a dark mark behind
the eye (see below). At all other times it may be recognised by the deep
red bill and legs and the white band along the front edge of the wing.
These birds are extremely sociable and can be seen in large numbers inland
together with Rooks, Lapwings and Golden Plovers. Whilst on the coast
with other gulls and also wading birds.
The plumage is generally
white with a grey mantle, and the black wing tips are without the usual
"mirrors". Young birds are mottled with brown on the wings,
(see below).
Biology:
Size:
The length of this gull is 15 inches.
Habitat: The
coast and inland waters.
Nest: The
nest is usually built on the ground, but it may sometimes be on a wall
or a rocky ledge. It usually consists of sticks and grass, reeds and sedges
and similar material in the vicinity, lining a depression in the ground
if this is dry, but where the surroundings are very damp it may become
a very large structure.
Eggs:
There is only one clutch of eggs in the year, and it is laid towards the
end of April or sometime during May. It contains two or three eggs, though
in rare cases four have been recorded. There is considerable variation
both in colour and in the marking of the eggs. The ground colour ranges
from a creamy buff through bluish and greenish shades to olive and brownish,
and the markings are grey with different shades of brown to near black.
These markings consist of spots and blotches, which are often scattered
more or less evenly over the shell, although sometimes they may be clustered
together in a zone.
"Aren't they cute...!"
Food: Feeds
on scraps and carrion, including waste fish scraps. On land it follows
the plough and eats harmful insects and grubs.
"But I only went out for a pint
darling"
Back to main gull
page
Back to main Pest
Bird page