What am I?
The black-headed gull is the smallest and most common gull on the Essex shores. Very sociable and noisy. It can often sound like they’re laughing at you, but rest assured it’s just them having a natter with each other.
Black-headed Gull
Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Conservation Status: 🟠Amber
How to Identify Me
The black-headed gull doesn’t have a black head! It’s actually got a chocolate brown coloured head. In winter this black plumage will transition into black spots which can look a bit like they’re wearing headphones.
How Can You Help Me?
Despite being a common site on our shores, black-headed gulls are amber listed. While populations are currently stable, their winter numbers continue to dwindle.
A significant lack of wild space and food consistently pushes them to seek out places where people are in their search for space and sustenance.
When you see gulls, please do your best to give them space, even if they seem keen to invade yours!