Gulls and terns · Shorebirds
Mediterranean Gull
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Ichthyaetus melanocephalus
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Voice
Call
Song
Call
How to recognize it
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Small, sturdy gull with a round head and short neck
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Breeding adult: black hood to the nape, pale grey wings with no black tips
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Winter plumage: dark grey mask behind the eye instead of a full hood
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Dark red bill with a black band; dark red legs
About the species
The Mediterranean Gull has a compact, sturdy look, with a short neck and a strong bill. In breeding plumage the dark hood is the easiest thing to notice, while in winter it leaves only a dusky patch behind the eye.
It is a noisy gull, especially around colonies, and its nasal calls carry well. It tends to be social and feeds both along the shore and on open water, taking whatever food is available, including carrion.
It breeds in colonies in reed beds, marshes, islands in lakes, and coastal areas. Its diet includes fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and insects, and in winter some move to Mediterranean coasts while others stay near their breeding areas.
Where to find
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Along pond edges, canal banks, and city lakes — especially by reeds and shallow water, where Mediterranean gulls gather to feed and give their nasal “yeah” calls.
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On flat rooftops near the water and over embankments — flocks rest there by day, then gather into noisy evening roosts.
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Near fish stalls, rubbish bins, and asphalt spots with dropped crumbs, it picks food with quick, short steps.
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On river shallows and sandy spits, it stands at the waterline and plucks small prey from the edge.
