Brown-headed gull facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brown-headed gull |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chroicocephalus
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| Species: |
brunnicephalus
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| Synonyms | |
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Larus brunnicephalus |
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The brown-headed gull (scientific name: Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus) is a medium-sized gull. These birds live in the high mountains of central Asia. You can find them from Tajikistan all the way to Inner Mongolia.
Brown-headed gulls are migratory birds. This means they travel long distances. They spend their winters along the coasts and big lakes of the Indian Subcontinent. Like many gulls, this bird used to be in a different group called Larus.
Contents
About the Brown-Headed Gull
Where They Live
Brown-headed gulls like to build their nests in groups called colonies. They often choose places like large areas of reeds or marshes. They also nest on islands in lakes. They build their nests right on the ground.
Social Birds
These gulls are very social, especially in winter. They like to stay together when they are looking for food. They also gather in large groups at night to sleep. You won't often see them far out at sea. They prefer to stay closer to the coast.
What They Eat
Brown-headed gulls are brave and smart eaters. They are not picky! They will look for food in towns, eating scraps. They also enjoy finding small creatures like insects in farm fields. They are very good at finding food wherever they can.
How to Spot a Brown-Headed Gull
Size and Color
The brown-headed gull is a bit bigger than the black-headed gull. In summer, adult brown-headed gulls have a light brown head. This color is lighter than the black-headed gull's dark head. Their bodies are pale grey, and their beaks and legs are red.
Wing Markings
Look closely at their wingtips. The black tips of their main wing feathers have bright white spots. These spots look like "mirrors." The underside of their wings is grey. The feathers used for flying are black.
Winter Look
When winter comes, the brown head color fades away. Instead, you will see dark streaks on their heads. This helps them blend in during the colder months.
Young Gulls
It takes two years for a brown-headed gull to become an adult. Young birds have a black band at the end of their tail. Their wings also have more dark areas. In summer, their brown head color is not as even as an adult's.
Noisy Birds
These gulls are known for being quite noisy. You will hear them especially when they are gathered in their breeding colonies.
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Brown-headed gull in flight - Ezhimala, Kerala
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Brown-headed gull in flight - Bang Pu, Samut Prakan, Thailand
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At Pangong Tso
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At Pangong Tso
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At Pangong Tso
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In Western India
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Brown-headed Gull fishing in Navi Mumbai, India
