Black-headed Gull

Despite the name, adults show a chocolate-brown hood only in the breeding season — winter birds keep just a dark smudge behind the ear.

Length 34–39cm, wingspan around 100–110cm, with a bright red bill and legs.

Breeds across the Palearctic in reed beds and lakeside colonies that can number in the thousands, then disperses south for winter, often into towns and farmland.

An opportunistic feeder taking insects, fish, seeds and scraps alike.

Global population runs into the millions and the species is rated Least Concern, though it took a real hit from the 2023 avian flu outbreak.