ExploreBird

Black-headed Gull

Chroicocephalus ridibundus

The Black-headed Gull is a playful bird often seen near water. It has a striking black head in summer and a cheerful white body. These gulls love to dive for food and can be very curious!

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Black-headed Gull is a medium-sized gull with a distinctive chocolate-brown head in summer, which turns white with a dark spot behind the eye in winter. It has a white body, pale grey wings with black wingtips, and striking red legs and beak.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyLaridaeGenusChroicocephalus

Black-headed Gull

Interesting facts

A Black-headed Gull was once recorded living for over 32 years!

These gulls' 'black' heads are actually dark chocolate brown, not truly black!

They are known to follow farmers' ploughs to feast on freshly exposed grubs.

They often stamp their feet on the ground to make worms come to the surface!

Special abilities

Black-headed Gulls can eat almost anything because of their highly adaptable diet that helps them thrive in many environments.

Black-headed Gulls have excellent group foraging skills that help them find food efficiently in large colonies.

Black-headed Gulls can fly with impressive agility and speed because of their streamlined bodies and strong wings.

Black-headed Gulls have a unique head plumage change that helps them blend in differently during summer and winter.

Measurements & details

Length: 37-44 cm
Wingspan: 90-105 cm
Weight: 0.195-0.4 kg
Lifespan: 5-20 years
Top Speed: 50 km/h
Clutch Size: 2-3
Incubation: 22-26 days
Migration Distance: 2500 km

Diet & Feeding

This adaptable bird eats nearly everything, from tiny insects to human leftovers!

Primary Foods

Insects
Earthworms
Small fish
Carrion
Seeds
Food scraps

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Common Earthworm

Lumbricus terrestris

Searches for them in soft ground.

hunts

European Perch

Perca fluviatilis

Catches small fish near the water surface.

eaten by

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Fast raptors can hunt adult gulls.

hunts

House Mouse

Mus musculus

Occasionally preys on small rodents.

depends on

Humans

Homo sapiens

Often scavenges food waste from human activity.

Traits

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Scavenger

Meet nature's clean-up crew! These important animals help keep the environment tidy by eating what other animals have left behind or things that have passed away.

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Gliding

Watch as animals take a graceful leap and soar through the air without flapping their wings! They use special flaps of skin or body shapes to glide from one spot to another.

Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Coastal

Discover life found along the edges where land meets the sea! These habitats are always changing with the tides and waves, offering unique environments.