Black-headed Gull

There is a black spot behind the eye.

Scientific name	Chroicocephalus ridibundus
English name	Black-headed Gull
Japanese name	百合鴎
Classification	Aves
Classification details	Charadriiformes Laridae
Full length	about 40cm
Distribution	Widely distributed in northern hemisphere. Comes to Japan in winter.

Characteristics

In winter, the head is entirely white with black spots behind the eyes. It has pale gray feathers from the spot to the nape.

The feet and beak base are red. The wings are pale gray almost white, but the tips of the flight feathers are black.

Ecology

It migrates to coasts and lakes in winter. It mainly preys on fish and crustaceans, but it is omnivorous and eats anything. They sometimes dive near the surface of the water to hunt. They migrate for breeding in the summer.

Habitat

Taken at Oiso Port, Kanagawa Prefecture. They were hunting in the calm waters of the harbor. Sometimes it would drop to the surface to rest, but after a few seconds it would immediately jump back up. It flew close to me while I was shooting.