Wildlifeof China
Black-headed Gull
Gulls, Terns & Skuas
Photo: Alexis Lours · CC BY 4.0
Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Basic stats
Habitat
Breeds in colonies in large reed beds or marshes, or on islands in lakes, nesting on the ground
Range
Breeds across much of the Palearctic; locally in coastal eastern Canada
Size
34–39cm
Wingspan
100–110cm
Weight
166–400g
The black-headed gull is a small gull, 34–39cm long with a 100–110cm wingspan, weighing 166–400g; males (186–400g) average heavier than females (166–350g), with considerable overlap. It breeds in much of the Palearctic in Europe and Asia, and locally in small numbers in coastal eastern Canada. The specific name ridibundus is Latin for 'laughing' (Wikipedia, general species account).
Most of the population is migratory and winters further south, though many remain in the milder parts of north-western Europe. It breeds in colonies in large reed beds or marshes, or on islands in lakes, nesting on the ground; colonies range from a few pairs to several thousand, exceptionally over 10,000. Like most gulls it is highly gregarious in winter, both feeding and in evening roosts (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Black-headed Gull live in?
- Breeds in colonies in large reed beds or marshes, or on islands in lakes, nesting on the ground
- Where is the Black-headed Gull found?
- Breeds across much of the Palearctic; locally in coastal eastern Canada
- How big is the Black-headed Gull?
- 34–39cm
- What is the wingspan of the Black-headed Gull?
- 100–110cm
- How much does the Black-headed Gull weigh?
- 166–400g