Black-headed Gull ? Yarrow Valley Park UK 17/11/2021 (1 Viewer)

[Chris G6 UXU]

I have never seen a Black-headed Gull like this before with a real black head. Is it possible it could be a cross with a Med Gull? Shot taken today at Yarrow Valley Park Chorley Lancashire UK 17/11/2021. All the rest of the gulls on the lake had their white Winter heads on.

 

[aeshna5]

Adult Black-headed Gull. Seems to be going into breeding plumage early.

 

[Prestdj]

I have never seen a Black-headed Gull like this before with a real black head. Is it possible it could be a cross with a Med Gull? Shot taken today at Yarrow Valley Park Chorley Lancashire UK 17/11/2021. All the rest of the gulls on the lake had their white Winter heads on.

quite common i took this sunday at redcar tarn, similar blacker than brown feathers but still a black headed gull

 

[MJB]

I have never seen a Black-headed Gull like this before with a real black head. Is it possible it could be a cross with a Med Gull? Shot taken today at Yarrow Valley Park Chorley Lancashire UK 17/11/2021. All the rest of the gulls on the lake had their white Winter heads on.

It's quite standard in that the head feathers as they push through the winter plumage are still growing in 'rolled' form and so they appear much darker than fully developed feathers, whose slight translucency permits us to see their basic dark brown colour. Med Gull fully developed feathers are much blacker although their limited translucency is about the same as a B-h G.

Also, the brain's interpretation of colour doesn't cope well when the dark feathers on the gull's head contain highly-contrasting white patches...
MJB

 

[Chris G6 UXU]

Many thanks everyone, much appreciated.

 

[KC Foggin]

Just not fully there yet A great image Chris!