Black-headed Gull

Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Locally common with 170,000 breeding pairs in Britain plus 40,000 pairs in Ireland & very common in Winter.

Also breeds in mainland Europe & North Eastern North America.

Winters in Central Africa & the Eastern USA.

Breeding Adults have a chocolate-brown head white neck, underparts and tail, pale grey wings and back, black tips to the primary wing feathers, and red bill and legs.

The hood is lost in winter, leaving just two dark spots above and behind the eye.

Juveniles have a mottled pattern of brown spots over most of the body, and a black band on the tail.

They have loud raucous calls.