Mediterranean Gull
The Mediterranean gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) is a small gull. The scientific name is from Ancient Greek. The genus Ichthyaetus is from ikhthus, "fish", and aetos, "eagle", and the specific melanocephalus is from melas, "black", and -kephalos "-headed".
In Türkiye
Recorded year-round, with records rising clearly in winter.
Most records in December–March.
Provinces where it makes up the largest share of bird records.
Adjusted for how many birdwatchers are out each month; the busiest month = 100%.
8,300 records from Türkiye · #122 of 634 species by number of records. Source: GBIF.org (October 2026). All birds of Türkiye
About
This gull breeds almost entirely in the Western Palearctic, mainly in the south east, especially around the Black Sea, and in central Turkey. There are colonies elsewhere in southern Europe, and this species has undergone a dramatic range expansion in recent decades. As is the case with many gulls, it has traditionally been placed in the genus Larus.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
At a glance
In breeding plumage the Mediterranean gull has a velvet-black hood and coral-red bill, with cleaner white wings than the black-headed gull.
Similar birds
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