Black-headed Gull

The other exotic bird in Prospect Park lately is a Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus), which is common in Europe but scanter on this side of the Atlantic. I first saw them in Scotland in 2006. Over here, the coast of Canada is where you might normally expect to see one during the winter. The black head of its name — its really more a deep chocolate — is an aspect of breeding plumage. This is first time I’ve seen this smudgy-headed winter plumage.Similar to our Bonaparte’s Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia), but slightly larger, with red bill and feet. The bird stands, or floats, out in a crowd of larger Ring-billed Gulls.