Black-Headed Gull: An Adaptive & Social Seabird

About Black-headed Gull

The black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) is a small, coastal bird that is found across much of Europe, Asia, and North America. As its name suggests, the bird is easily recognized by its dark hood, which is actually a non-breeding plumage, as well as its bright red bill and legs. The black-headed gull is a social bird that often nests in large colonies, and it is known for its distinctive mewing calls and acrobatic flight.

While the black-headed gull may not be as commonly known in folklore and mythology as some other birds, it does have a place in the traditions of certain cultures. For example, in the Netherlands, black-headed gulls are known as “kokmeeuwen” and are often associated with the sea. According to a Dutch legend, black-headed gulls were once white, but their feathers were stained black when they flew through the smoke of a fire in a lighthouse while trying to rescue stranded sailors.

Details:

• Size: Length 38-44 cm / 15-17 in, wingspan 90-100 cm / 35-39 in
• Color: Dark brown to black head during breeding season, white body and wings. Mostly white head with small black spot behind eye outside breeding season.
• Diet: Omnivorous, eats insects, fish, crustaceans, worms, and small rodents.
• Distribution: Widespread throughout Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. Introduced to parts of North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
• Natural habitat: Found in coastal areas, wetlands, lakes, rivers, and spreading to urban environments.
• Family: Laridae family, which also includes other gulls
• Conservation status: ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN Red List, but the populations in natural habitats are declining

Appearance

As its name suggests, the black-headed gull has a distinctive black hood during the breeding season. However, outside of the breeding season, the bird’s hood is replaced by a white head with a dark spot behind the eye. Its wingspan is around 90cm and it is 37cm+ in length. It has a light grey back and wings, with white plumage on the breast and underside.

Behavior

Black-headed gulls are social birds that are often found in large flocks, especially during the non-breeding season. They are known for their distinctive calls, which include a mewing sound and a distinctive “kree-ar” call that is often heard in flight. During the breeding season, black-headed gulls form monogamous pairs and nest in colonies, usually near water. They build simple nests on the ground or on vegetation, and the female typically lays two or three eggs. Both parents share the duties of incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks once they hatch.

Black-headed gulls are opportunistic feeders and will eat a wide variety of food, including insects, fish, and carrion. They are also known to scavenge from rubbish dumps and to steal food from other birds. In urban environments, they may be attracted to bread or other human-provided food, which can lead to conflicts with humans.

Conservation Challenges & Concerns

While the black-headed gull is a natural inhabitant of coastal and wetland habitats, it has also adapted to urban environments and is increasingly being found in cities. While this can bring benefits to the birds, such as access to new food sources and nesting sites, it can also pose challenges for human populations and other bird species, which for long have been known to live closer to humans during harsher periods of the year. Black-headed gulls are known to engage in aggressive behavior towards other birds, including nesting and foraging species, this way impacting the local biodiversity.

One of the main concerns with black-headed gulls in urban areas is their potential impact on public health and safety. The birds are known to scavenge food from rubbish dumps, waste facilities, and other urban areas, which can result in increased litter and waste. This can attract other pests, such as rats and flies, and lead to potential health hazards for humans.

Overall, while the black-headed gull’s adaptation to urban environments is impressive, it is important to manage their presence in cities to ensure that they do not become a nuisance or pose a threat to public health and safety. This can be achieved through measures such as reducing the availability of food sources and implementing bird management strategies to discourage nesting in certain areas.

Gallery of Black-headed Gull