Ichthyaetus melanocephalus (Temminck, 1820)

Taxonomy and Size Comparison

The Mediterranean gull, with the scientific name Ichthyaetus melanocephalus (Temminck, 1820), is slightly larger and bulkier than the black-headed gull, with a heavier bill and longer, darker legs.

Breeding Adult Plumage

Adult breeding plumage makes this a distinctive white gull, with a very pale grey mantle and wings that have white primary feathers lacking black tips. Its solid black hood extends down the nape and features clear white eye crescents. The sharp-tipped, parallel-sided dark red bill has a black subterminal band.

Non-breeding Adult Plumage

Non-breeding adults are similar in appearance, but their hood is reduced to an extensive dusky "bandit" mask that crosses through the eye.

Maturation Timeline

This species takes two years to reach full maturity.

First-year Plumage

First-year individuals have a black terminal tail band and more black areas on their upperwings, but have pale underwings.

Historical Range

Formerly restricted to the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean, this species has now expanded its range across most of Europe, reaching as far as Great Britain and Ireland.

United Kingdom Breeding Records

In 2008, there were 543 to 592 breeding pairs across 37 sites in the United Kingdom, and the species bred in Scotland for the first time in 2023.

Ireland Breeding Records

Breeding has been recorded in at least four counties in Ireland.

Additional European Breeding Range

Breeding has also occurred in Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Balkans.

Winter Migration

During the winter, this gull migrates to Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts.

Breeding Habitat

This gull breeds in colonies in large reed beds or marshes, or on islands in lakes; where its population is small, it nests within black-headed gull colonies.

Winter Gregariousness

Like most gulls, it is highly gregarious in winter, both when feeding and when gathering at evening roosts.

Marine Occurrence

It is not a pelagic species, and is rarely seen at sea far from coasts.

Diet

The Mediterranean gull is an opportunistic omnivore that feeds on fish, worms, insects, eggs, young birds, offal and carrion.

Vocalization

It is a noisy species, especially when at breeding colonies, and has a nasal "yeah" call.