© © Zsuzsanna Bird Black-Headed Gull Larus ridibundus The black-headed gull is a familiar sight on farmland, wetland and coastal habitats throughout Britain. © © Rob Miller It nests on saltmarshes and islands in flooded gravel pits and reservoirs and sometimes forms very large, noisy colonies. There are about 140,000 breeding pairs in Britain and about 1.7 million wintering birds each year. How to Identify The commonest small gull, the black-headed gull actually has a chocolate-brown head during the summer which turns white for the rest of the year. It is silvery-grey above and white below with red legs, a red bill and black wingtips. Where to Find Widespread. How People Can Help Although black-headed gulls are relatively common birds and can be spotted in towns and cities, the non-breeding population in the UK is in decline. To ensure that we keep populations of black-headed gulls and other seabirds healthy, it is important that our marine environment is managed properly. The Wildlife Trusts are working with fishermen, researchers, politicians and local people towards a vision of ‘Living Seas’ where marine wildlife thrives. This work has recently had a massive boost with the passing of the Marine Bill, promising sustainable development of the UK’s marine environment. Do your bit for our Living Seas by supporting your local Wildlife Trust. Did you know? The Latin name of the black-headed gull, Larus ridibundus, means ‘laughing gull’, and comes from its laughing, ‘ke-ke-ke’ and ‘kverarrr’ calls. However, there is a laughing gull, Larus atricilla, which lives in North America; it looks quite similar to the black-headed gull, but has a black head instead of a brown one. Key FactsLength: 35-38cmWingspan: 1mWeight: 250-330gAverage Lifespan: 11 years Donate Donate to help support Black-Headed Gulls and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Blackbird Birds Blackcap Birds Blue Tit Birds Bullfinch Birds Buzzard Birds Canada Goose Birds Carrion Crow Birds Chaffinch Birds Chiffchaff Birds Coal Tit Birds Collared Dove Birds Coot Birds Crossbill Birds Cuckoo Birds Curlew Birds Dipper Birds Dunnock Birds Fieldfare Birds Goldcrest Birds Golden Plover Birds Goldfinch Birds Goosander Birds Great Crested Grebe Birds Great Spotted Woodpecker Birds Great Tit Birds Greenfinch Birds Grey Heron Birds Grey Wagtail Birds Hen Harrier Birds Herring Gull Birds Hobby Birds House Martin Birds House Sparrow Birds Jackdaw Birds Jay Birds Kestrel Birds Kingfisher Birds Lapwing Birds Lesser Redpoll Birds Linnet Birds Little Egret Birds Little Grebe Birds Little Owl Birds Little Ringed Plover Birds Long-Eared Owl Birds Long-Tailed Tit Birds Magpie Birds Mallard Birds Mandarin Duck Birds Marsh Harrier Birds Meadow Pipit Birds Merlin Birds Mistle Thrush Birds Moorhen Birds Nightjar Birds Nuthatch Birds Osprey Birds Oystercatcher Birds Peregrine falcon Birds Pied Wagtail Birds Raven Birds Red Grouse Birds Red Kite Birds Redstart Birds Redwing Birds Reed Bunting Birds Reed Warbler Birds Ringed Plover Birds Robin Birds Rock Pipit Birds Rook Birds Sedge Warbler Birds Short-Eared Owl Birds Siskin Birds Skylark Birds Snipe Birds Song Thrush Birds Sparrowhawk Birds Spotted Flycatcher Birds Starling Birds Stonechat Birds Swallow Birds Swift Birds Tawny owl Birds Teal Birds Tree Sparrow Birds Treecreeper Birds Tufted Duck Birds Water Rail Birds Waxwing Birds Wheatear Birds Whimbrel Birds Whinchat Birds Whitethroat Birds Wigeon Birds Willow Warbler Birds Wood Pigeon Birds Wood Warbler Birds Woodcock Birds Wren Birds Yellow Wagtail Birds Yellowhammer Birds