Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) at Lake Mattamuskeet, Hyde Co., NC

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)

This bird was found on 1/18/2002 during a Chapel Hill Bird Club trip. I photographed it on 1/25 in fairly dim, overcast conditions. It remained in this same area until 1/26. The bill is dark towards the tip, reddish towards the base, and noticeable larger than a Bonaparte's.

Nicely perched on a sand bar with a Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) for comparison.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.