Conservation status: Amber
Not really a black-headed bird, more chocolate-brown - in fact, for much of the year, it has a white head. It is most definitely not a 'seagull' and is found commonly almost anywhere inland. 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.
Latin name
Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Family
Gulls (Laridae)
Where to see them
The commonest inland gull, particularly in N England, Scotland and Wales. Large colonies along the south and east coasts of England.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Worms, insects, fish and carrion.
Population
| Europe | UK breeding* | UK wintering* | UK passage* | | - | 138,014 pairs | 2.2 million birds | - |
- In the UK
- Found UK-wide
- In Europe
- All except the most northerly parts
- Worldwide
- Europe and Asia (breeding); N and W African and Arabian coasts (winter)