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''Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus'' | ''Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus'' | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
− | 42cm | + | 42cm. A two-year gull, similar to [[Black-headed Gull]] and often best told apart in flight: |
− | + | ====Adult==== | |
− | + | * Grey upperwing and broad white primary base, creating white half-moon against black wing-tip with prominent white mirrors | |
+ | * Red bill and legs, very dark when breeding | ||
+ | * White eye, white eyelids | ||
+ | * Dark brown hood, often paler towards face. In winter white head with dark-brown spots in front, above and behind the eye | ||
+ | * White tail | ||
+ | ====Juvenile==== | ||
+ | [[Image:Brown-headed Gull 2.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Adult non-breeding plumage<br />Photo by {{user|Don+Gato|Don Gato}}<br />Bang Poo, [[Thailand]], November 2007]] | ||
+ | * Upperwing similar to [[Black-headed Gull]] but with solid black wing-tips and white restricted to streaks on inner primaries and primary coverts dark-streaked | ||
+ | ====First winter (August to January)==== | ||
+ | * Bill darker orange red than Black-headed Gull | ||
+ | * Wing-coverts with slightly broader pale edges | ||
+ | * Wing similar than juvenile | ||
+ | ====First summer (January to August)==== | ||
+ | * Almost looking like adult in winter (unlike other two-year gulls) | ||
+ | * More uniform black wing-tips than adults, white half-moon less distinctive | ||
+ | ====Similar species==== | ||
+ | Similar to [[Black-headed Gull]] but note different wing patterns and white eye in adults. For juveniles and first-winter birds see text above. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
− | [[Image: | + | [[Image:13368RAK4092 b h g.jpg|thumb|350px|right|First summer (2 CY)<br />Photo by {{user|Rakesh|Rakesh}}<br />Sewri Flatlands, Mumbai, [[India]], March 2007]] |
South-central [[Asia]], wintering to [[Arabian Peninsula]], [[India]], and south-east Asia. | South-central [[Asia]], wintering to [[Arabian Peninsula]], [[India]], and south-east Asia. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
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Marshes, reedbeds, lakes. | Marshes, reedbeds, lakes. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
− | |||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
It nests on the ground. | It nests on the ground. |
Revision as of 15:59, 28 September 2010
- Larus brunnicephalus
Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus
Identification
42cm. A two-year gull, similar to Black-headed Gull and often best told apart in flight:
Adult
- Grey upperwing and broad white primary base, creating white half-moon against black wing-tip with prominent white mirrors
- Red bill and legs, very dark when breeding
- White eye, white eyelids
- Dark brown hood, often paler towards face. In winter white head with dark-brown spots in front, above and behind the eye
- White tail
Juvenile
- Upperwing similar to Black-headed Gull but with solid black wing-tips and white restricted to streaks on inner primaries and primary coverts dark-streaked
First winter (August to January)
- Bill darker orange red than Black-headed Gull
- Wing-coverts with slightly broader pale edges
- Wing similar than juvenile
First summer (January to August)
- Almost looking like adult in winter (unlike other two-year gulls)
- More uniform black wing-tips than adults, white half-moon less distinctive
Similar species
Similar to Black-headed Gull but note different wing patterns and white eye in adults. For juveniles and first-winter birds see text above.
Distribution
South-central Asia, wintering to Arabian Peninsula, India, and south-east Asia.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1] which is sometimes placed in the genus Chroicocephalus[2].
Habitat
Marshes, reedbeds, lakes.
Behaviour
Breeding
It nests on the ground.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Avibase
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Brown-headed Gull. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 20 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Brown-headed_Gull