Black-headed Gull Identification

Breeding adult

Fairly small Eurasian gull with a thin bill. Breeding adults have a dark brown partial hood and white eye arcs.

Breeding adult

A Eurasian gull that breeds along lakes, rivers, bogs, moors, grasslands, swamps, and coastal marshes.

Nonbreeding adult

Nonbreeding adults have dark smudging above and behind the eye and a dusky-tipped red bill.

Immature

Fairly small gull of the Old World. Immatures have two smudgy spots on the head, one above the eye and one behind the eye. Note somewhat thin dusky-tipped red bill.

Juvenile

Breeding adult

Breeding adults in flight have a white leading edge that contrasts with dark primaries.

Nonbreeding adult

Rare visitor to North America. In flight, note white leading edge of the wing that contrasts with the dark primaries.

Immature

Medium sized and fairly slender gull. Immatures have dark-tipped primary feathers and two smudgy spots on the head, one above the eye and one behind the eye. Note white on the leading edge of the wing.

Juvenile

Juveniles are mottled brown, gray, and white. Note dark tail tip, pale bill, and white leading edge on the wing.

Flock

In winter, found primarily along seacoasts, estuaries, and bays often in flocks.