Albania (B) (NB), Algeria, Austria (B) (NB), Azerbaijan (B) (NB), Belarus (B), Belgium (B) (NB), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria (B) (NB) (P), Croatia (Local Name: Hrvatska) (NB), Cyprus (NB), Czech Republic (B), Denmark (B) (NB) (P), Egypt, France (B) (NB) (P), Germany (B) (P), Gibraltar (NB), Greece (B) (NB) (P), Hungary (B), Iran [Islamic Republic of] (P), Ireland (B), Israel, Italy (B) (NB), Lebanon (NB), Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Macedonia [The Former Yugoslav Republic of] (B) (NB), Malta (NB), Mauritania, Montenegro (B), Morocco, Netherlands Antilles (B) (NB), Palestinian Authority Territories (NB), Poland (B), Portugal (NB), Romania (B) (NB) (P), Russia (European) (B) (P), Serbia (B), Slovakia (Slovak Republic) (B), Slovenia (NB) (P), Spain (B) (NB) (P), Sweden (B), Switzerland (B) (NB), Tunisia, Turkey (B) (NB) (P), Ukraine (B) (NB), United Kingdom (B) (NB).
Vagrant to Finland, Gambia, Iraq (NB), Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates.
Mainly on Black Sea coasts of Ukraine, with recent spread to northern Caucasian Plains and Azerbaijan (Baku archipelago); also at scattered localities throughout Europe, with large numbers recently in Netherlands, southern France (Camargue), Italy, Greece and Turkey; also limited breeding in southern England, Belgium, north-eastern Germany, north-eastern Spain and central Europe. Winters in Mediterranean, Black Sea, north-western Europe and north-western Africa.
Population
Estimated population is 360,000 - 960,000 (2010).
Status LC
Disturbace at its breeding sites by tourists, habitat loss resulting from development and marine pollution are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Food
Insects, fish and marine invertebrates.
Voice
Generally silent in winter. Shrill nasal calls uttered in spring.
Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) [XC871811]
by Alain Malengreau from Arrondissement d'Abbeville (near Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont), Somme, Hauts-de-France, France (flight call)
Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) [XC735589]
by Irish Wildlife Sounds from Tacumshane, Wexford, County Wexford, Ireland (flight call)
Nest
Shallow depression on open ground, lined with grass and feathers. In dense colonies. It often breeds near but not among Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis), or intermingling with Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus).
Eggs (Guide)
Usually 3; smooth, cream or buff with dark brown spots and speckles; oval. Incubation: about 24 days; by both sexes.
Subspecies
Formerly often considered to include Relict Gull (Larus relictus).
The Reader's Digest Book of British Birds 1980, 3rd Edition, Drive Publications Ltd ISBN 0 340 25308 8
Birds in Colour Campbell, B., 1960, Penguin Books Ltd
The Pocket Guide to Nest and Eggs Fitter, R.S.R., 1954, Collins
RSPB Handbook of British Birds Holden, P., Cleeves, T., 2002, A & C Black ISBN 0 7136 5713 8
Birds of Britain and Europe Sterry, P., et al., 2001, AA Publishing ISBN 0 7495 3068 5
The Popular Handbook of British Birds Hollom, P.A.D., 1973, H.F. & G. Witherby Ltd ISBN 0 85493 002 7
BirdLife International Species Factsheet