Mediterranean or Black Headed Gull - southern France (1 Viewer)

[BBandW]

I've always been rubbish with Gulls, so could some kind person tell me if this is a Mediterranean or Black Headed Gull, and more importantly what differentiates them in this winter plumage?

The picture was taken 3 days ago on the river in Toulouse. In reality I would say the bill was a slightly deeper red than the pic shows.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It's a Black-headed Gull. The most obvious difference is the extensive black primaries (wing tip). In adult plumage, Mediterranean Gull would be entirely white in the wing tip.

 

[Butty]

At any age and at any time of year (and certainly in this view and outside the breeding season), best to focus on the bill thickness and the head pattern (a bird with black primaries could still be a 1st-winter Mediterranean gull). Your field guide will give you a better idea of exactly what to look for on those two features.