Lachmöwe Bavaria

The black-headed gull is the smallest regularly breeding true gull in Central Europe, with a body length of around 35 to 39 centimetres and a wingspan of 86 to 99 centimetres. In breeding plumage it shows a characteristic chocolate-brown head mask that does not extend onto the nape, a narrow white eye-ring and bright red legs and bill. In winter plumage the head is white with a dark spot behind the eye. In flight, the white leading edge of the outer wing is a distinctive feature that is practically unique among the gull species occurring in Germany.

Black-headed gulls breed in colonies that range from a few dozen to several thousand pairs. Inland they mainly settle larger freshwater bodies with islands, reed-fringed shores or floating vegetation, while along the coast they regularly nest in the Wadden Sea and at lagoon and bay sites on the Baltic. Originally predominantly a coastal bird, the species has also extensively colonised the interior since the late nineteenth century. Outside the breeding season they use a wide range of habitats, including fields, meadows, river banks, harbours, landfills and inner-city parks and waterways. Their diet includes earthworms, insects, small fish, crustaceans, seeds and carrion.

The species can be told from other gulls by its size, slim build and the combination of a red bill and red legs. The similarly patterned but much rarer Mediterranean gull has a deep black head and a heavier bill, the common gull is larger with yellowish-green legs and a white head, and the even smaller little gull shows a black rather than brown head in breeding plumage. Legally, the black-headed gull falls under the Federal Hunting Act, but the Federal Hunting Seasons Ordinance places it under year-round closed season, so it is effectively not huntable. It is additionally listed as a specially protected species under the Federal Nature Conservation Act. Please always refer to the currently valid state hunting law for the applicable hunting and closed seasons.