Black-headed Gull

Latin Name: 
Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Size: 
45cm
Description: 

Sexes alike. Winter, when in India, greyish-white plumage; dark ear patches; white outer flight feathers, with black tips. Summer breeding: coffee-brown head and upper neck, sometimes acquired just before migration. The Brown-headed Gull C. brunnicephalus is larger and has white patches (mirrors) on black wing-tips. Highly gregarious; large flocks on sea coasts, scavenges in harbours; wheels over busy seaside roads or beaches; large numbers rest on rocky ground and sand; follow boats in harbours.

Habitat: 
sea coasts, harbours, sewage outflows, refuse dumps.
Food: 
offal, fish, prawns, insects, earthworms.
Distribution: 
winter visitor; most common on western seaboard; also strays inland, both on passage and for short halts.
Call: 
Call Description: 
noisy; querulous kree…ah… screams.
National Status: