Black Headed Gull

Larus ridibundus 38cm

Karupputhalai Kadarkaakkai in Tamil (கருப்புதலை கடற்காக்கை)

Widespread winter visitor and passage migrant. Smaller than brown headed gull, with finer bill and narrower and more pointed wings. Distinctive white 'flash' on primaries/primary coverts of upper wing; black on wing tips and upperwings is much less extensive than in brown headed in all plumages. Bill blackish-red and hood uniform dark brown in breeding plumage. In non-breeding and first winter plumages, bill tipped black and head largely white with dark ear-covert patch. Coasts and large inland lakes and rivers.