Blackheaded Gull

Despite its name, the Black-headed Gull has a chocolate brown hood during the breeding season, which fades to white with dark spots near the ears in winter. This medium-sized gull has a distinctive red bill and legs, with grey upper parts and white under parts. A clear white edge on the front of the outer wing can be seen when it is flying, which helps to recognise it. This gull is common and found throughout the UK, both inland and along the coast all year round. The number of birds increases in winter as migrants arrive from the continent. It is very adaptable, often seen in city parks, reservoirs, farmland, and estuaries. The Black-headed Gull is often sociable, forming large groups at feeding places and resting spots. Its loud, laughing calls are a familiar sound in both towns and the countryside. It often mixes with other types of gulls and follows ploughs to find insects and other small creatures in the soil.