Grey-headed Gull vs Mediterranean Gull

Larus cirrocephalus compared with Larus melanocephalus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Grey-headed Gull Mediterranean Gull
Scientific Name Larus cirrocephalus Larus melanocephalus
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 63.8 cm (25.1 in) 60.5 cm (23.8 in)
Weight 357.5 g (12.61 oz) 282.5 g (9.96 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 1-5
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Grey-headed Gull only

None

Mediterranean Gull only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Grey-headed Gull

Least Concern

Mediterranean Gull

About These Birds

Grey-headed Gull

Grey-headed Gull, 39–42 cm, breeds across sub-Saharan Africa and coastal South America. Pale grey hood in breeding plumage, red-orange bill and legs. Omnivore and piscivore; frequents large lakes, rivers, and coasts. Partially migratory, dispersing broadly outside breeding season.

Mediterranean Gull

Mediterranean Gull, 36–38 cm, has expanded dramatically since the 1970s, breeding across Europe from the Black Sea to Britain. Pure white body, jet-black hood in breeding plumage — the only gull with entirely white wingtips. Piscivore and invertivore; nests in colonies, often with Black-headed Gulls.

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