Mediterranean Gull
Ichthyaetus melanocephalus
About This Species
Scan gull flocks at harbours, beaches and coastal lagoons, checking for the solid black hood and blood-red bill of breeding adults, or the dark eye-smudge of winter birds, both useful for picking it out among Black-headed Gulls. Breeding colonies form on islands, lagoons and coastal marshes in western Europe, and birds become more widespread and visible along coasts outside the breeding season. Winter is often the easiest time to find one among mixed gull roosts.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Gulls loafing on beaches generally tolerate moderate approach distances, but nesting colonies are far more sensitive and should be viewed only from well outside the colony edge.
- Protections for breeding seabirds vary across the country range this species uses in Europe, so follow local wild bird law and any seasonal access restrictions at colony sites rather than a single fixed rule.
- Avoid lingering near obvious nest scrapes or agitated adults.
NEAvesCharadriiformesLaridae
Seasonal Activity
704,015 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Laridae
Photo
(c) Paul Cools, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Paul Cools
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.