The black-headed gull’s name is a little misleading as in summer the adult gull actually has a chocolate brown head, while in winter it is whitish.

Interestingly, the gull’s scientific name is Larus ridibundus which means “laughing gull”. It is probably named so because of its particular cries. This common gull is usually seen in our islands between November and April.

The black-headed gull is a small gull measuring roughly 35cm in length and having a moderate wingspan of around 100cm. In summer the adult has a recognisable brown hood, a pale grey body, black tips on the primary feathers, and a dark, dull red bill and legs. In winter the bird bears a white head with a bold ear-spot. During this season, this gull’s legs take on a red to reddish-brown colour and the bill sports a dark tip. The black-headed gull not only feeds on insects and other invertebrates but also scavenges refuse tips for food.

It takes two years for the black-headed gull to reach maturity, the juveniles being quite different in appearance from the adults. In summer, the immature gulls bear ginger-brown coloured markings on the upper parts and head, yellow legs and a yellowish bill with a black tip. On the other hand, during the winter months the head and the body of the juveniles are more similar to that of the adult gulls in winter. Although this bird is quite common it faces a diverse number of threats, ranging from outbreaks of diseases, to coastal oil spills and egg collection. In Malta, this gull is protected and one should not disturb, kill, hunt these birds or take their nests or eggs.

More information may be obtained by e-mail: nature.requests@mepa.org.mt.

The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. Malta, together with many other countries around the globe, is carrying out a number of initiatives to celebrate life on earth and the value of biodiversity for our lives. We are all invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth: Biodiversity.