All species
resident
Amber-listedGulls
Black-headed Gull
Despite the name, this small gull has a dark chocolate-brown head in summer, not black. It is the most common inland gull in the UK and often seen far from the sea.
Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Coastal Lakes Rivers Urban Wetlands
Size
34-37 cm
Wingspan
94-110 cm
Weight
200-350 g
Lifespan
10-15 years
Diet
Fish, insects, worms, scraps, seeds and small invertebrates; opportunistic at parks and landfill.
Song & Call
A harsh, laughing 'kree-ah' call, often heard in flocks.
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Speed
Visualizer
Recording by Joost van Bruggen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
How to identify
- Dark brown head in summer
- White body with pale grey wings
- Red bill and legs
- White leading wing edge
Conservation
Amber-listed
Amber-listed; inland breeding colonies have declined, though winter numbers remain high.
