Gulls (Laridae)

Great Black-headed Gull (Larus ichthyaetus) - HBW 3, p. 613

French: Goéland ichthyaète German: Fischmöwe Spanish: Gavión Cabecinegro

Taxonomy: Larus Ichthyaetus Pallas, 1773, Caspian Sea.
Despite large size, behavioural repertoire typical of hooded gulls, although behaviour considered distinctive by some. Possibly a link between the hooded and the white-headed gulls. Monotypic.

Distribution: Breeds in a few very small, scattered localities from Black Sea (Crimea) E to L Balkhash and spottily to NW Mongolia; possibly also N China (Gansu, Qinghai) and Tibet. Winters on coasts of E Mediterranean, Red Sea, S Caspian Sea and N Indian Ocean E to Myanmar; SC Ethiopia.