Sabine's Gull vs Black-headed Gull

In short

Sabine's Gull and Black-headed Gull can be distinguished by their bill and tail features. Sabine's Gull has a distinctive black bill with a yellow tip and a notched tail, while Black-headed Gull has a red bill and a rounded tail. These differences are most reliable when observed closely.

Identification tips

• Bill: Look for the black bill with a yellow tip on Sabine's Gull; Black-headed Gull has a red bill.
• Tail: Sabine's Gull has a notched tail, while Black-headed Gull's tail is rounded.
• Wing Pattern: In flight, Sabine's Gull shows a bold black, white, and gray pattern, unlike the more uniform wings of Black-headed Gull.
• Breeding Plumage: Note the black hood of Sabine's Gull compared to the chocolate-brown hood of Black-headed Gull.
• Behavior: Observe feeding behavior; Sabine's Gull may feed on mudflats like shorebirds.

Size

Sabine's Gull is slightly smaller and more delicate than the Black-headed Gull.

Plumage

Sabine's Gull has a striking black, white, and gray wing pattern in flight, while the Black-headed Gull has a more uniform gray upperwing with a white leading edge. In breeding plumage, Sabine's Gull has a black hood, whereas Black-headed Gull has a chocolate-brown hood.

Behaviour

Sabine's Gull exhibits behavior more akin to shorebirds and terns, such as distraction displays and feeding on mudflats, while Black-headed Gull behaves more typically like other gulls.

Habitat

Sabine's Gull is often found in Arctic breeding grounds and migrates over open oceans, whereas Black-headed Gull is more commonly found in inland and coastal areas across Europe and Asia.

Voice

Sabine's Gull has a tern-like call, while Black-headed Gull has a more typical gull-like call.