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Project Noah Nature School
Ichthyaetus melanocephalus
This species is 36-38 cm long with a 98-105 cm wingspan. It can be distinguished from the Black-headed Gulls with which it often associates by its slightly larger size, very pale grey plumage and thicker red bill. The summer adult has a black head; the bird's scientific name actually means "black-headed gull". The similar species Black-headed Gull actually has a chocolate-brown hood. Adults have no black in their wings. The hood is lost in winter, leaving just a streaked grey mask. Legs are red.
large reedbeds or marshes, or on islands in lakes
Spotted on Jan 26, 2012
Submitted on Jan 27, 2012
2 Comments
Thank you cormoros! When I shot them, it seemed that they were cooperating with me :-)
Beautiful