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Brown-headed Gull vs Pallas's Gull

Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus versus Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus

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Play a quiz with Brown-headed Gull and Pallas's Gull

Brown-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus) Brown-headed Gull
Pallas's Gull (Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus) Pallas's Gull

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In short

The most reliable field mark to distinguish the Brown-headed Gull from Pallas's Gull is the head coloration during breeding season: Brown-headed Gull has a chocolate-brown head, while Pallas's Gull has a black head. Additionally, Pallas's Gull is significantly larger and has a heavier bill.

Identification tips

  1. Head Color in Breeding Season: Brown-headed Gull has a chocolate-brown head, while Pallas's Gull has a black head. 2. Size and Structure: Pallas's Gull is larger with a more robust bill. 3. Non-breeding Head Markings: Pallas's Gull retains a more prominent white eye-crescent.

Size

Pallas's Gull is significantly larger than the Brown-headed Gull, with a bulkier body and a heavier, more robust bill.

Plumage

In breeding plumage, the Brown-headed Gull has a chocolate-brown head, whereas Pallas's Gull has a black head. Outside of the breeding season, both species lose their hood, but Pallas's Gull retains a more prominent white eye-crescent.

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The most reliable field mark to distinguish the Brown-headed Gull from Pallas's Gull is the head coloration during breeding season: Brown-headed Gull has a chocolate-brown head, while Pallas's Gull has a black head. Additionally, Pallas's Gull is significantly larger and has a heavier bill.

  1. Head Color in Breeding Season: Brown-headed Gull has a chocolate-brown head, while Pallas's Gull has a black head. 2. Size and Structure: Pallas's Gull is larger with a more robust bill. 3. Non-breeding Head Markings: Pallas's Gull retains a more prominent white eye-crescent.

Pallas's Gull is significantly larger than the Brown-headed Gull, with a bulkier body and a heavier, more robust bill.

In breeding plumage, the Brown-headed Gull has a chocolate-brown head, whereas Pallas's Gull has a black head. Outside of the breeding season, both species lose their hood, but Pallas's Gull retains a more prominent white eye-crescent.

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Brown-headed Gull · Pallas's Gull · My Tricky Birds