Black-headed gull courtship ritual by Kevin Woolner 1/10
Black-headed gull at Acle by David Savory 2/10
Black-headed Gull by Martyn Hinstridge 3/10
Black-headed gull with fish at Acle Bridge by David Savory 4/10
Black-headed gull at Titchwell by Pat Adams 5/10
Black-headed gull at NWT Hickling by David Savory 6/10
Black-headed gull at Filby Broad by Pat Adams 7/10
Black-headed gull at NWT Cley by Elizabeth Dack 8/10
Black-headed gull at Burnham Overy Staithe by David Rose 9/10
Black-headed Gull by Richard Burkmarr 10/10

Black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

The black-headed gull is the commonest gull in Norfolk. Its name is misleading as its head is only dark during the spring and summer and even then it is brown, not black. It is a common sight throughout the year along the Norfolk coast, at freshwater wetlands and in towns all over the county.

Conservation status

While still a very common species the black-headed gull is amber-listed in the UK as its winter population is in decline.

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Details

Did you know? The Mediterranean gull is an increasingly common neighbour to black-headed gulls in coastal colonies. This species is slightly larger and, as an adult, has pure white wings. Its hood is blacker and its red bill stouter. It has recently colonised Norfolk as a breeding species.

Norfolk has an important winter population of black-headed gulls and birds ringed all over Europe have been seen here.
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