Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin nameLarus melanocephalus FamilyGulls (Laridae) OverviewSlightly 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. Where to see themMainly 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). When to see themAll year round. What they eatInsects, fish, offal and carrion. Estimated numbers| Europe | UK breeding* | UK wintering* | UK passage* |
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| - | 110 pairs | Several hundred birds and increasing | - |
* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn. Distribution
Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations. Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100) |