Black-headed gull

Latin Larus ridibundus L.
Estonian Naerukajakas

Also known as: laughing gull

Status in Estonia

Breeding, migratory and wintering bird.

Description

In flight, the black-headed gull can be distinguished from other seagulls by the white front edge of the wing, which is followed by a distinct grey-black patch. The head is fairly small, the neck is long, the tail is short and the wings are pointed. In summer, the adult bird has a dark brown head and a dark red beak and legs, whereas in winter it has a dark ear area, a red or brownish-red beak and legs, and a beak with a dark tip. The juvenile bird has an ochre-brown top side and head, brown wing coverts, a black tail stripe and yellowish-pink legs and beak.

Size

Body length 35–39 cm, wingspan 86–99 cm, body mass 205–340 g.

Similar species

Little gull.

Distribution

The distribution range extends from Southeast Greenland to the Kamchatka Peninsula in Siberia and Northern China. It is a migratory bird in most of the distribution area. Black-headed gulls that breed in the Baltic countries spend the winter in the Netherlands, Germany and England. It is a common breeding bird in Estonia.

Population

Estonia has 25,000–35,000 breeding pairs.

Occurrence in Estonia

The earliest birds usually arrive in Estonia in February, but the majority come in March. Autumn migration begins with the departure of juvenile birds in July and continues until the end of September. The last ones leave in the beginning of December, with a small population (500–3000) remaining in open water bodies for the winter.

Diet

It feeds on small animals found in the ground, water and air, including insects and their larvae, snails, earthworms, mice and frogs. In the autumn, it can also consume seeds, acorns and berries.

Habitat

It is a species that breeds in Estonia in colonies and commonly inhabits sea islands and coastal reed beds but can also be found (and in some cases in extremely large colonies) breeding in inland water bodies, such as raised bog lakes or polder areas. We are also seeing an increase in seagulls in the city, particularly in the spring, when the ice melts from the water bodies near the breeding grounds and it is easier to obtain food.

 Nesting

It builds a nest on the shore of a sea, lake or river, which is a pile of dried straws on some tussock. The female bird lays three, or occasionally two or four, eggs towards the end of April or May. Incubation lasts 23–26 days and both parents participate. Chicks are fed four to five times a day for 34–36 days. After 12–16 hours, the chicks are capable of standing up. They leave the nest when they’re 10 days old and move to the shade of dense vegetation; around the age of 20 days, they are wandering around independently. Chicks can fly in four or five weeks and are self-sufficient after one month.

Conservation status and protection

Not under protection. Adult birds have no significant predators, although nests are damaged by other gull species.

Distribution and population in Lääne County

The black-headed gull is a very common breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County but an uncommon winterer. Black-headed gulls nest in huge flocks along the shores of Lääne County. The county’s largest breeding colony, with over a thousand nests, is found on the banks of Haapsalu Eeslaht Bay.
Cape Põõsaspea offers the best view of the black-headed gull migration.