| Mediterranean Gull | |
|---|---|
 Adult in breeding plumage | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Charadriiformes |
| Family: | Laridae |
| Genus: | Ichthyaetus |
| Species: | Ichthyaetus melanocephalus |
The Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) is a medium-sized bird in the family Laridae.
Taxonomy[]
Like many other gull species, the Mediterranean Gull was once included in the genus Larus. When this genus was split, the Mediterranean Gull was moved to Ichthyaetus, along with Audouin's Gull and Pallas's Gull. The scientific name is from Ancient Greek, with the genus Ichthyaetus derived from ikhthus, "fish", and aetos, "eagle", and the specific melanocephalus from melas, "black", and -kephalos "-headed".
Description[]
First winter bird.
Immature.
This gull is 36-38 cm (14.2-15 in) long, with a 92-100 cm (36.2-39.4 in) wingspan and 230-280 g (8.1-9.9 oz) of body mass. It is mostly white with a pale grey back and upperwings. The bill is blood-red with a small black spot, and the legs are reddish. The adult in flight is unmistakable thanks to its wings, which lack any black markings and are pure white below. The adult in breeding plumage has a completely black head with a thin white ring around the eye. In winter, the head is white with a dark patch behind the eye, larger than the one seen in the Black-headed Gull. This dark patch is also seen in juveniles, which also have blackish markings on the remiges and wing coverts, a black-tipped tail, and a dark bill. One-year-old birds are similar to adults in winter plumage, but with black on the wingtips.
Voice[]
Its calls include a loud, nasal "kow-kow", and a harsh "ki-i-kek-kek".
Behaviour[]
Flock of Mediterranean Gulls.
This gregarious bird is somewhat more adaptable than its relative, Audouin's Gull, having a more varied diet and occasionally associating with other gull species.
Feeding[]
The Mediterranean Gull's diet includes fish, molluscs, worms and other invertebrates. When nesting, it usually looks for food on fields and meadows, whereas in winter it forages on the high seas.
Breeding[]
From May to July, Mediterranean Gulls gather in colonies along the coast to breed, often among large groups of Black-headed and Common Gulls. They nest on the ground, in the vegetation, laying 3 (more rarely 2) whitish eggs with dark spots.
Distribution and habitat[]
The Mediterranean Gull breeds along the coasts of the northern Mediterranean, the Black Sea, and the Baltic Sea. In winter, it wanders off, spreading all over the Mediterranean and along the Atlantic coasts of Europe and northern Africa. Over the past 50 years, this gull has spread north-west from south-eastern Europe and is now found in central Europe with a few thousand breeding couples. The Mediterranean Gull nests along sea coasts and inland waters. Most colonies are found in estuaries and lagoons.