Heermann's Gull vs Black-headed Gull

Larus heermanni compared with Larus ridibundus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Heermann's Gull Black-headed Gull
Scientific Name Larus heermanni Larus ridibundus
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Near Threatened Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 67.2 cm (26.5 in) 58.2 cm (22.9 in)
Weight 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz) 261.0 g (9.21 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1-2 1-3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Heermann's Gull only

None

Black-headed Gull only

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Heermann's Gull

Least Concern

Black-headed Gull

About These Birds

Heermann's Gull

Heermann's Gull, 46–51 cm, is distinctive — dark grey body, white head (breeding), red bill. Breeds almost entirely on Isla Rasa in the Gulf of California, then disperses north along the Pacific coast to British Columbia. Kleptoparasite; steals fish from Brown Pelicans. Near Threatened; range highly restricted.

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull, 38–44 cm, is one of Europe's commonest gulls, breeding across the Palearctic on wetlands and coasts. Chocolate-brown (not black) hood in summer, lost in winter leaving dark ear-spot. Omnivore; follows ploughs, scavenges in cities, dips for invertebrates. Migratory.

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