Head to head
Herring Gull vs Black-headed Gull
The herring gull and black-headed gull are both common and familiar gulls across much of Europe, but they differ substantially in size, colouring, and typical habitat.
| Herring Gull | Black-headed Gull | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Larus argentatus | Chroicocephalus ridibundus |
| Relative size | Large | Small |
| Head colour (breeding) | White | Chocolate-brown hood |
| Typical habitat | Coastal, urban rooftops | Coastal and inland lakes |
| Social behaviour | Gregarious | Highly gregarious |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Stable |
| Habitat | Coastal, grassland | Coastal, wetlands |
Herring Gull vs Black-headed Gull: common questions
Is the black-headed gull smaller than the herring gull?
Yes, the black-headed gull is noticeably smaller than the herring gull, one of the size differences that helps distinguish the two species even when neither is showing its most distinctive breeding-season colouring.
Why is the black-headed gull often seen far from the coast?
This species is far more tolerant of inland habitat than the herring gull, frequently found on lakes, rivers, and farmland, while the herring gull remains more strongly tied to coastal areas and, increasingly, urban rooftops.
Is the black-headed gull's hood actually black?
No, despite its name, the black-headed gull's breeding hood is actually chocolate-brown rather than true black, unlike the herring gull, which never develops a dark hood at all and keeps a white head year-round.