Gulls (Laridae)

Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus) - HBW 3, p. 617

French: Mouette mélanocéphale German: Schwarzkopfmöwe Spanish: Gaviota Cabecinegra
Other common names: Mediterranean Black-headed Gull

Taxonomy: Larus melanocephalus Temminck, 1820, coasts of the Adriatic Sea.
Formerly often considered to include L. relictus. Monotypic.

Distribution: Mainly on Black Sea coasts of Ukraine, with recent spread to N Caucasian Plains and Azerbaijan (Baku archipelago); also at scattered localities throughout Europe, with large numbers recently in Netherlands, S France (Camargue), Italy, Greece and Turkey; also limited breeding in S England, Belgium, NE Germany, NE Spain and C Europe. Winters in Mediterranean, Black Sea, NW Europe and NW Africa.