Which gull?

[Per-Gunnar Ostby]

Taken recently in Hyde Park, London. Not sure if this is a Common Gull (Larus canus) or not

Any help would be appreciated

[John Chardine]

Hi Per-Gunnar- This is a 1st winter Black-headed Gull, Larus ridibundus. This young bird has not developed the dark hood yet and adults lose it in the winter anyway. All you see is remnants of grey behind the eye. It's a 1st winter bird for several reasons including the bill colour (adults would have a reddish bill) and the dark band at the end of the tail (adults would have a white tail). A winter Common Gull would have dusky along the sides of the breast, dusky head (no gray patches like this one), and different coloured bill and feet.

Is that snow I see flying in the air?!

[Per-Gunnar Ostby]

Thank you very much John. I was out again and I was beginning to wonder about that as some were beginning to have more black on their heads.