DebasishPhotos on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/debasishphotos/art/Black-headed-gull-512452609DebasishPhotos

Deviation Actions

DebasishPhotos's avatar

Black headed gull

Published:
907 Views

Description

The black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) is a small gull that breeds in much of Europe and Asia, and also in coastal eastern Canada. Most of the population is migratory and winters further south, but some birds reside in the milder westernmost areas of Europe. Some black-headed gulls also spend the winter in northeastern North America, where it was formerly known as the common black-headed gull. As is the case with many gulls, it was previously placed in the genus Larus.
This gull is 38–44 cm (15–17 in) long with a 94–105 cm (37–41 in) wingspan. In flight, the white leading edge to the wing is a good field mark. The summer adult has a chocolate-brown head (not black, although does look black from a distance), pale grey body, black tips to the primary wing feathers, and red bill and legs. The hood is lost in winter, leaving just 2 dark spots. The black-headed gull is a bold and opportunistic feeder. It eats insects, fish, seeds, worms, scraps, and carrion in towns, or invertebrates in ploughed fields with equal relish. It is a noisy species, especially in colonies, with a familiar "kree-ar" call. Its scientific name means laughing gull.This species takes two years to reach maturity. First-year birds have a black terminal tail band, more dark areas in the wings, and, in summer, a less fully developed dark hood. Like most gulls, black-headed gulls are long-lived birds, with a maximum age of at least 32.9 years recorded in the wild, in addition to an anecdote now believed of dubious authenticity regarding a 63-year-old bird.
Image size
2209x1473px 1.22 MB
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D5200
Shutter Speed
1/800 second
Aperture
F/7.1
Focal Length
200 mm
ISO Speed
200
Date Taken
Jan 25, 2015, 12:11:27 PM
© 2015 - 2024 DebasishPhotos
Comments27
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
Maria-Schreuders's avatar
Beautiful photo, fantastic shot