Black Headed Gull? Worcester UK (1 Viewer)

[toadoftoadhall]

I guess these are pretty common, but to be honest, never seen them with black heads even in summer, picture was taken in October 2010.
Black spot behind the eye looks like BHG, but never really found anything else to fit. Know nothing about gulls, loads of these in Worcester on the Severn.

toad

 

[SiG]

Yes.

 

[toadoftoadhall]

many thanks, though the name "black headed gull" is a bit of a red-herring if you ask me.

toad

 

[Cristian Mihai]

You're right, toad. Why calling it Black-headed, isn't it? During the breeding season they have dark brown heads. On the other hand, the Mediterranean Gull has a really black head during the breeding season...

 

[Hyrax]

Not to mention the Med Gulls scientific name is Larus Melanocephalus, which means black headed gull!

 

[stonechat1]

[...] On the other hand, the Mediterranean Gull has a really black head during the bredding season...

That is why countries with no english background call them Black - headed Gull. Tricky, isn´t it?

 

[Birds 4ever]

I know! They're brown-headed-only-in-summer-but-similar-to-medgull-gull.

 

[Nature__lover]

definitely black gull. in autumn and winter they lose their black heads and just have a spot near their ear.

 

[Nature__lover]

I have seen them with black heads in summer

 

[chris butterworth]

I have seen them with black heads in summer

Chocolate-brown, when you get close - and the light is right.

Chris

 

[NicoleB]

The literal translation from German would be 'Laughing Gull', which I find more fitting,...

 

[Cristian Mihai]

The literal translation from German would be 'Laughing Gull', which I find more fitting,...

The Romanian name means the same thing: Laughing Gull.

 

[Cheshire Birder]

Isn't there a Brown-headed Gull also?

CB

 

[_pauls]

Isn't there a Brown-headed Gull also?

CB

And Brown-hooded Gull as well (Chroicocephalus maculipennis)

Maybe should just revert to calling them all seagulls

 

[Fozzybear]

Time for a new designation as Chocolate-headed Gull perhaps...

 

[Papa 10]

Black(?0-headed Gull

The Romanian name means the same thing: Laughing Gull.

As does the latin name----ridibundus, goes to show the stupidity of some of the English bird names

 

[DaveN]

Confused.com |:S|

 

[nickderry]

As does the latin name----ridibundus, goes to show the stupidity of some of the English bird names

and the French - mouette rieuse

 

[Espen]

and yet there is an American gull called a laughing gull!

 

[NicoleB]

As does the latin name----ridibundus, goes to show the stupidity of some of the English bird names

Grin - I never doubted the smartness of English translations,... :t: