Black-headed gull / Lachmöwe (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Cormorant, Graureiher, zwei Lachmöwen am Klingnauerstausee. 2022-02-05 10:35:32 Klingnauer Stausee (man-made lake)

Observations

First documented observation: 2020-05-20 in Pfäffikersee. Most recent observation: 2025-12-31 in Switzerland.

Description

Classification: Genus Chroicocephalus (Chroicocephalus); Subfamily Larinae (Larinae); Family Gulls (Laridae)
Geography: This bird appears across the great seas in the following continents: Europe, North America, Africa, Asia.
General: Common waterbird at Pfäffikersee, that doesn't necessarily have the eponymous black head.
General: Deutschland: Brut-, Jahres-, Zugvogel, Wintergast
Etymology: [40], In Richard Adams' 1972 novel Watership Down, a black-headed gull named Kehaar (who claims his name is the onomatopoeia of waves breaking against the shore) plays a major part in the story. [Link]
Vocalization: Quite vocal, especially at breeding ground. [Link]

Seasonal behavior

Year-round bird

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=34-37 cm, wingspan=86-99 cm, weight=200-400 g
not sexually dimporphic.
No breeding plumage Identifying characteristics: Summer: head = black, , , , , tail = black Winter: head = white (With Charlie Brown-style half circle behind the eye), , , , general: beak = red, legs = red, wings = gray,
Habitats: River and lake

Vocalisation

Song: No details but a Xeno-Canto recording.
Song attributes: Frequency:
Birdnet 1485 - Black-headed Gull racket at Chlisee - No confident detection - Wetzikon. Wetzikon 2021-04-27 16:51:23 ♫ 2021-04-27 16:51:23 Source: BirdNet 20210427_165123 birdnet 1485 - Black-headed Gull racket at Chlisee - No confident detection - Wetzikon.mp3 Wetzikon (song)