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41–45 cm (16-17¾ in). A two-year gull, similar to [[Black-headed Gull]] and often best told apart in flight: | 41–45 cm (16-17¾ in). A two-year gull, similar to [[Black-headed Gull]] and often best told apart in flight: | ||
====Adult==== | ====Adult==== | ||
| + | [[Image:Brown-headed Gull 2.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Adult non-breeding plumage<br />Photo by {{user|Don+Gato|Don Gato}}<br />Bang Poo, [[Thailand]], November 2007]] | ||
* Grey upperwing and broad white [[Topography#Wings|primary]] base, creating white half-moon against black wing-tip with prominent white mirrors | * Grey upperwing and broad white [[Topography#Wings|primary]] base, creating white half-moon against black wing-tip with prominent white mirrors | ||
* Red bill and legs, very dark when breeding | * Red bill and legs, very dark when breeding | ||
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* White tail | * White tail | ||
====Juvenile==== | ====Juvenile==== | ||
| − | |||
* Upperwing similar to [[Black-headed Gull]] but with solid black wing-tips and white restricted to streaks on inner primaries and primary [[Topography#General Anatomy|coverts]] dark-streaked | * Upperwing similar to [[Black-headed Gull]] but with solid black wing-tips and white restricted to streaks on inner primaries and primary [[Topography#General Anatomy|coverts]] dark-streaked | ||
====First winter (August to January)==== | ====First winter (August to January)==== | ||
| + | [[Image:13368RAK4092 b h g.jpg|thumb|350px|right|First summer (2 CY)<br />Photo by {{user|Rakesh|Rakesh}}<br />Sewri Flatlands, Mumbai, [[India]], March 2007]] | ||
* Bill darker orange red than Black-headed Gull | * Bill darker orange red than Black-headed Gull | ||
* Wing-coverts with slightly broader pale edges | * Wing-coverts with slightly broader pale edges | ||
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Similar to [[Black-headed Gull]] but note different wing patterns and white eye in adults. For juveniles and first-winter birds see text above. | Similar to [[Black-headed Gull]] but note different wing patterns and white eye in adults. For juveniles and first-winter birds see text above. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:20130827 0044.jpg|thumb|350px|right|1st Winter<br />Photo by {{user|mountainflute|mountainflute}}<br />Wadhwana, Dabhoi, Gujarat, [[India]], ]] |
South-central [[Asia]], wintering to [[Arabian Peninsula]], [[India]], and south-east Asia. | South-central [[Asia]], wintering to [[Arabian Peninsula]], [[India]], and south-east Asia. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
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They have a very wide ranging diet; live prey consisting of fish, shrimps, insects, slugs, worms and rodents. They also eat offal and visit sewage farms. Plant material such as shoots and potatoes are also included. | They have a very wide ranging diet; live prey consisting of fish, shrimps, insects, slugs, worms and rodents. They also eat offal and visit sewage farms. Plant material such as shoots and potatoes are also included. | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | |||
It nests on the ground. | It nests on the ground. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 01:39, 27 November 2017
- Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus
Larus brunnicephalus
Identification
41–45 cm (16-17¾ in). A two-year gull, similar to Black-headed Gull and often best told apart in flight:
Adult
- Grey upperwing and broad white primary base, creating white half-moon against black wing-tip with prominent white mirrors
- Red bill and legs, very dark when breeding
- White eye, white eyelids
- Dark brown hood, often paler towards face. In winter white head with dark-brown spots in front, above and behind the eye
- White tail
Juvenile
- Upperwing similar to Black-headed Gull but with solid black wing-tips and white restricted to streaks on inner primaries and primary coverts dark-streaked
First winter (August to January)
- Bill darker orange red than Black-headed Gull
- Wing-coverts with slightly broader pale edges
- Wing similar to juvenile
First summer (January to August)
- Almost looking like adult in winter (unlike other two-year gulls)
- More uniform black wing-tips than adults, white half-moon less distinctive
Similar species
Similar to Black-headed Gull but note different wing patterns and white eye in adults. For juveniles and first-winter birds see text above.
Distribution
South-central Asia, wintering to Arabian Peninsula, India, and south-east Asia.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1] which is sometimes placed in the genus Larus[2].
Habitat
Marshes, reedbeds and lakes.
Behaviour
Diet
They have a very wide ranging diet; live prey consisting of fish, shrimps, insects, slugs, worms and rodents. They also eat offal and visit sewage farms. Plant material such as shoots and potatoes are also included.
Breeding
It nests on the ground.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Avibase
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved February 2016)
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Brown-headed Gull. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 16 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Brown-headed_Gull
External Links
