Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus(last update: |
||||||||
Moderators: BHG 1cy May BHG 2cy January BHG adult January |
Black-headed Gull - 1cy OctoberIntroduction The Black-headed Gull is a small gull, common and widespread in Europe and Asia all the way to the east through the Russian steppe-belt into Kamtchatka. It winters south along the west coast of Africa, the Mediterranean and the east coast of Africa, the Arabian peninsular, India, Malaysia and the Philippines. A key characteristic is the white on the outer primaries which is very distinctive in flight, even from a great distance. Most of the description on these pages follows from P.J. Grant: "Gulls, a guide to identification". 1cy Black-headed Gull in October In October, first-calendar year Black-headed Gulls are in full "first winter" or "formative" plumage. This plumage is characterized as follows:
In flight, the dark carpal bar on the upper wing stands out, formed by the lesser- and medium coverts. The trailing edge is black, similar to the tail edge (the outer tail feathers of some individuals are completely white). The primaries have a white base, extending in a drop-shape to a black tip. The outer primaries usually have small white tips. Black-headed Gulls in October, compared by age group
| |||||||
Black-headed Gull 1cy with dark head pattern. October 6, 2012, Grou, The Netherlands Photo: Ruurd-Jelle van der Leij. |
||||||||
Black-headed Gull 1cy with dark head pattern. October 6, 2012, Grou, The Netherlands Photo: Ruurd-Jelle van der Leij. |
||||||||
Black-headed Gull 1cy. October 17, 2009, Leiden, The Netherlands (52.157N, 4.494E) Photo: Maarten van Kleinwee. |
||||||||
Black-headed Gull 1cy October 31, 2010, Buitenhoflaan, Leiderdorp, The Netherlands (52.167N, 4.528E) Photo: Maarten van Kleinwee. |
||||||||