Larus ridibundus - Black-headed Gull
Feather characters. Barbules are from short until medium length (0.4-1.2 mm). Barbules are divided into pigmented nodes and partly pigmented (less than 50%) internodes. Concentration of pigment varies in different body feathers. Both vase- and slightly thickened nodes are present. Nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (16-28 per mm). Proximal nodes are vase-shaped, they abruptly decrease in size into slightly thickened nodes distally. Villi are absent and internodes are occasionally kinked. Minute prongs are present on distal end of barbules and on both sides of the pennulum.
Field characters. Size 37 cm. Weight 284 g (195-327) (Dunning, 1993). A slender dark-hooded gull. Adults recognisable in every season by black tips on primaries, white leading edge on wing, and dark red bill and legs. In summer, head chocolate-brown with white nape; back and wing pale blue-grey; rest of plumage white. In flight, upperwing pale blue-grey with pure white outer primary coverts and outer primaries (latter with black tips); underwing white with dusky rear panel. In winter, head white with dark brown ear-patches and sometimes with a few dusky bands across crown. Juvenile with buff-brown patchy hood and mottled ginger-brown upperparts; neck, underparts, rump and tail white; tail with narrow black terminal band. A very active bird, often seen in large flocks.
Voice. Noisy; voice harsh. Common calls a sharp "kwarr" and a short, soft "kek", often repeated several times.
Distribution. A common breeding bird and partial migrant for whole of Europe; decreasing in numbers. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Occurs both inland and on coast; breeds, winters and forages in a wide variety of habitats. Breeding grounds near shallow, calm water are preferred; breeds colonially.
Food. Very varied. Predominantly various animal matter, but also vegetable food and human refuse; terrestrial invertebrates are captured by trampling on ground.