Black-headed gull

Chroicocephalus ridibundus

The black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) is a small gull that breeds in much of the Palearctic in Europe and Asia, and also locally in smaller numbers in coastal eastern Canada.

Family: Laridae Order: Charadriiformes Conservation: Least Concern
Black-headed gull

About the Black-headed gull

The black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) is a small gull that breeds in much of the Palearctic in Europe and Asia, and also locally in smaller numbers in coastal eastern Canada. Most of the population is migratory and winters further south, but many also remain in the milder areas of northwestern Europe. It was formerly sometimes cited as "common black-headed gull" to distinguish it from "great black-headed gull" (an old name for Pallas's gull). The genus name Chroicocephalus is from the Ancient Greek words khroizo, "to colour", and kephale, "head". The specific name ridibundus is Latin for "laughing".

Fun Facts About Black-headed gull

  • The black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) is a small gull that breeds in much of the Palearctic in Europe and Asia, and also locally in smaller numbers in coastal eastern Canada.
  • Most of the population is migratory and winters further south, but many also remain in the milder areas of northwestern Europe.

Conservation Status

The Black-headed gull is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

OrderCharadriiformes
FamilyLaridae
GenusChroicocephalus
SpeciesChroicocephalus ridibundus

Range & Habitat

Range map of Black-headed gull

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Related Species

Other species in the Laridae family: