Black Headed Gulls

[picalo]

I have noticed some BHG have already started griwng the black head feathers allready and some are almost totally black, if not all black. Is this usual at this time of year for them to grow the black feathers this early. Ithought they would not start appearing until Spring?

[aeshna5]

Generally the first ones do start by now, so it's not unusual to see one or two with dark heads. The moult is influenced by hormones + does vary between individuals.

[htcdude]

I've seen some round my way that have the black (chocolate brown ) heads throughout winter.

Nige

[RoyW]

Black-headed Gulls typically moult into breeding plumage between Jan & March (although some already have full 'hoods' by late December, and others don't get the full breeding plumage until April or May) - so now is pretty much the normal time.

[picalo]

Thank you. I was begining to think I was seeing Little Gulls. I wish

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by picalo

I was begining to think I was seeing Little Gulls. I wish

Little gulls have a white head in winter too, they have a similar head moult timing to Black-headed gulls, although they generally span between January and May. A slightly longer period.