19-5-2024 SOLLANA SOUTH, ALBUFERA - MEDITERRANEAN GULL (ichthyaetus melanocephalus)

The Mediterranean gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus ) is a small gull. The scientific name is from Ancient Greek. The genus Ichthyaetus is from ikhthus, "fish", and aetos, "eagle", and the specific melanocephalus is from melas, "black", and -kephalos "-headed".

This gull breeds almost entirely in the Western Palearctic, mainly in the south east, especially around the Black Sea, and in central Turkey. There are colonies elsewhere in southern Europe, and this species has undergone a dramatic range expansion in recent decades. As is the case with many gulls, it has traditionally been placed in the genus Larus.

Formerly restricted to the Black Sea and the eastern Mediterranean this species has now expanded over most of Europe as far as Great Britain and Ireland, with 37 sites: 543–592 pairs in the United Kingdom in 2008. In Ireland breeding has been recorded in at least four counties. Breeding has also occurred in Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Balkans.

In winter, this bird migrates to Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts.

The Mediterranean gull is slightly larger and bulkier than the black-headed gull with a heavier bill and longer, darker legs. The breeding plumage adult is a distinctive white gull, with a very pale grey mantle and wings with white primary feathers without black tips. The black hood extends down the nape and shows distinct white eye crescents. The blunt tipped, parallel sided, dark red bill has a black subterminal band. The non breeding adult is similar but the hood is reduced to an extensive dusky "bandit" mask through the eye. This bird takes two years to reach maturity. First year birds have a black terminal tail band and more black areas in the upperwings, but have pale underwings.

15-6-2022 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN GULL (ichthyaetus melanocephalus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/144517-Ichthyaetus-melanocephalus

28-4-2021 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN GULL (ichthyaetus melanocephalus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/144517-Ichthyaetus-melanocephalus

 

29-7-2019 GIJON, ASTURIAS - MEDITERRANEAN GULL (ichthyaetus melanocephalus)

The Mediterranean gull, Ichthyaetus melanocephalus, presents a striking figure with its distinctive white plumage, pale grey mantle, and wings adorned with white primary feathers devoid of black tips. In its breeding attire, it sports a black hood that elegantly extends down the nape, punctuated by vivid white eye crescents. The bird's bill is a robust, dark red with a black subterminal band, and its legs are longer and darker compared to its relative, the black-headed gull.

When identifying the Mediterranean gull, look for a bird slightly larger and bulkier than the black-headed gull. The adult in breeding plumage is unmistakable with its black hood and lack of black wingtip markings. In non-breeding plumage, the hood recedes, leaving a dusky mask through the eye. Juveniles can be recognized by a black terminal tail band and darker areas in the upperwings, contrasting with pale underwings.

This species favors breeding in colonies located within expansive reed beds, marshes, or on lake islands. In smaller populations, it may nest alongside black-headed gull colonies.

Originally confined to the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean, the Mediterranean gull has expanded its range dramatically, now found across Europe to the British Isles and Ireland. It winters along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts.

The Mediterranean gull is a sociable bird, especially in winter, forming large flocks while feeding or roosting. It is not typically found far from coasts, as it is not a pelagic species.

At colonies, this gull is quite vocal, emitting a nasal "yeah" call that contributes to the cacophony of sounds in such bustling environments.

An opportunistic omnivore, the Mediterranean gull's diet includes fish, worms, insects, eggs, young birds, offal, and carrion.

The IUCN Red List classifies the Mediterranean gull as Least Concern. It is also protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

22-5-2016 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN GULL (ichthyaetus melanocephalus)

The Mediterranean gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus ) is a small gull. The scientific name is from Ancient Greek. The genus Ichthyaetus is from ikhthus, "fish", and aetos, "eagle", and the specific melanocephalus is from melas, "black", and -kephalos "-headed".

This gull breeds almost entirely in the Western Palearctic, mainly in the south east, especially around the Black Sea, and in central Turkey. There are colonies elsewhere in southern Europe, and this species has undergone a dramatic range expansion in recent decades. As is the case with many gulls, it has traditionally been placed in the genus Larus.

Formerly restricted to the Black Sea and the eastern Mediterranean this species has now expanded over most of Europe as far as Great Britain and Ireland, with 37 sites: 543–592 pairs in the United Kingdom in 2008. In Ireland breeding has been recorded in at least four counties. Breeding has also occurred in Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Balkans.