Black-headed Gull vs Aleutian Tern

In short

The Black-headed Gull and Aleutian Tern can be distinguished by their head markings and wing patterns. The Black-headed Gull has a dark head in breeding plumage, while the Aleutian Tern has a white forehead and a black cap. Additionally, the Black-headed Gull has more rounded wings compared to the Aleutian Tern's more pointed wings.

Identification tips

• Look for the dark head of the Black-headed Gull during breeding season.
• Note the white forehead and black cap of the Aleutian Tern.
• Check wing shape: Black-headed Gull has rounded wings, while Aleutian Tern has pointed wings.

Plumage

The Black-headed Gull features a dark head during the breeding season, transitioning to a white head with a dark ear spot in non-breeding plumage. In contrast, the Aleutian Tern has a distinctive white forehead with a black cap year-round.