Black-headed Gull
The Washington representatives of this family can be split into two groups, or subfamilies. The adaptable gulls are the most familiar. Sociable in all seasons, they are mainly coastal, but a number of species also nest inland. Many—but not all—are found around people. Gulls have highly variable foraging techniques and diets. Terns forage in flight, swooping to catch fish or insects. They dive headfirst into the water for fish. Although they are likely to be near water, they spend less time swimming than gulls.
General Description
A widespread Eurasian resident, the Black-headed Gull has increased in numbers and extended its range during the last century. It now winters regularly in small numbers, and has bred, in Atlantic Canada and the northeastern United States. Elsewhere in North America it is a rare visitor, mostly along the coasts. Of the commonly seen gulls in Washington, Black-headed most closely resembles Bonaparte’s but is significantly larger with a longer, heavier red (not black) bill. In flight, the upperwing shows a white wedge, similar to Bonaparte’s, but the dark primaries visible on the underwing are a distinctive field mark. The adult in breeding plumage has a dark brown hood, red legs, and a pale gray mantle. In winter the head is white with a prominent dark spot behind the eye. Black-headed Gull and Bonaparte’s Gull both attain full adult plumage in two years; see field guides for the immature plumages.
In Washington, Black-headed Gull is a casual fall migrant and winter resident on and near marine waters. The 12 accepted records range in date from mid-August to early April with a strong peak in early fall. British Columbia has more than a dozen records, the majority of them from the Greater Victoria area. Oregon has three records, California more than 20.
Revised June 2007
Family Members
- Laughing GullLarus atricilla
- Franklin's GullLarus pipixcan
- Little GullLarus minutus
- Black-headed GullLarus ridibundus
- Bonaparte's GullLarus philadelphia
- Heermann's GullLarus heermanni
- Black-tailed GullLarus crassirostris
- Short-billed GullLarus canus
- Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensis
- California GullLarus californicus
- Herring GullLarus argentatus
- Thayer's GullLarus thayeri
- Iceland GullLarus glaucoides
- Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus
- Slaty-backed GullLarus schistisagus
- Western GullLarus occidentalis
- Glaucous-winged GullLarus glaucescens
- Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreus
- Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus
- Sabine's GullXema sabini
- Black-legged KittiwakeRissa tridactyla
- Red-legged KittiwakeRissa brevirostris
- Ross's GullRhodostethia rosea
- Ivory GullPagophila eburnea
- Least TernSternula antillarum
- Caspian TernHydroprogne caspia
- Black TernChlidonias niger
- Common TernSterna hirundo
- Arctic TernSterna paradisaea
- Forster's TernSterna forsteri
- Elegant TernThalasseus elegans