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Black-headed Gull
©
© Marcel Burkhardt
Conservation programme for birds in Switzerland - Priority species

Black-headed Gull

The Black-headed Gull breeds in land-water transition zones where it is protected from terrestrial enemies. The population in Switzerland currently stands at 500–700 breeding pairs in around ten colonies. The breeding sites are located mainly on lakes with nesting aids in the Central Plateau, with some in the remaining larger wetland areas, such as Neeracherried (ZH). Natural shorelines are colonised only occasionally, as these generally seem to be inadequate in terms of structure. Together with the Common Tern, the species mainly uses the nesting platforms and rafts provided. Maintaining this network of nesting aids is therefore very important in order to retain the species as a breeding bird here in Switzerland. Structural work is undertaken to reduce competition with the Yellow-legged Gull for nesting sites.

Distribution and development

Schematic distribution
Verbreitung - Black-headed Gull
Schematic distribution during the breeding season (ochre), in winter time (dotted in blue) or during migration periods (dotted in vinaceous).
Breeding bird index
The graph shows the relative evolution of the breeding population in Switzerland (100 = mean value). Example: A value of 130 means that the population in the corresponding year was 30% above the mean value of the entire period considered.
Distribution and prevalence in Switzerland
  • Occurs on bodies of waters with nesting aids (platforms, rafts, nesting islands) and sometimes on reed banks distributed throughout the Central Plateau.
  • Populations are concentrated in the Lake Geneva region, the Three Lakes region, the Zurich region and the Lengwiler Weiher (TG).
Development in Switzerland
  • The population declined sharply from about 3,000 pairs in 1985 to 800–1,000 pairs between 2000 and 2010. Since 2011 it has fluctuated between 500 and 700 pairs.
  • The population increased sharply in the 1970s, as it did in the rest of Europe, presumably due to new anthropogenic food sources.
International
  • Breeds across Europe and Asia from Iceland to south-east Russia and north-east China.
  • Following the population growth in Europe in the 1970s, numbers declined again, especially away from coasts, presumably due to changes in agricultural practices.

Habitat and food

©
© Claudia Müller

Platform near Préverenges (VD) used as a nesting site in recent years, photo taken from the shore.

©
© Pascal Rapin

Nest next to the platform in Salavaux (VD) which has been used as a nesting site in recent years, photo taken during inspection/ringing.

©
© Fritz Liechti

Nests in Neeracherried (ZH), an important colony in recent years, photo taken from the BirdLife hide.

©
© Claudia Müller

Platform near Préverenges (VD) used as a nesting site in recent years, photo taken from the shore.

©
© Pascal Rapin

Nest next to the platform in Salavaux (VD) which has been used as a nesting site in recent years, photo taken during inspection/ringing.

©
© Fritz Liechti

Nests in Neeracherried (ZH), an important colony in recent years, photo taken from the BirdLife hide.

Habitat
Wetlands and water bodies
Wetlands, Marshes, Estuaries, Lakes
Farmland
Arable land, Meadows and pastures
Food
Carrion
Carcasses
Waste
Bread, Compost
Amphibiens
Frogs, Toads
Insects and spiders
Ants, Flying insects, Large insects, Grasshoppers, Insect larvae
Seeds
Cereal seeds, Grass seeds
Fruits
Berries, Windfall
Fish
Fish
Other aquatic animals
Crustaceans, Mussels
Mammals
Small mammals
Snails
Snails
Birds
Eggs, Young birds
Worms
Earthworms
Habitat and food requirements

The Black-headed Gull breeds in wetlands and on lakes where nesting sites offering protection from terrestrial enemies are available: nesting platforms and rafts, artificial islands, reed banks, sedge mounds.

Feeding habitat

  • Arable fields, mown meadows, pastures, areas of shallow water, flooded farmland.

Nesting site

  • Platforms, rafts, islands, mounds in the water or reed banks, offering protection from terrestrial enemies.

Winter habitat

  • Roosts in large flocks on lakes and reservoirs.
  • Arable fields, meadows and pastures, bodies of water in towns with resting places (food waste, feeding by people).
Conservation programme for birds in Switzerland - Priority species

Black-headed Gull

The Black-headed Gull breeds in land-water transition zones where it is protected from terrestrial enemies. The population in Switzerland currently stands at 500–700 breeding pairs in around ten colonies. The breeding sites are located mainly on lakes with nesting aids in the Central Plateau, with some in the remaining larger wetland areas, such as Neeracherried (ZH). Natural shorelines are colonised only occasionally, as these generally seem to be inadequate in terms of structure. Together with the Common Tern, the species mainly uses the nesting platforms and rafts provided. Maintaining this network of nesting aids is therefore very important in order to retain the species as a breeding bird here in Switzerland. Structural work is undertaken to reduce competition with the Yellow-legged Gull for nesting sites.
Priority species at national level
The ‘responsibility’ factor describes the international significance of the Swiss population of a species. The allocation to responsibility classes was based primarily on geographical distribution (Switzerland, Europe or worldwide) and the genetic and/or ecological significance of Swiss populations.
  • Exclusive responsibility
  • Very high responsibility
  • High responsibility
  • Responsibility
  • Joint responsibility
  • Minimal joint responsibility
Operational level
The level at which measures should be taken for all national priority species is specified within the framework of specific 'species conservation' (SC), 'habitat conservation' (HC), or the biodiversity-friendly use of natural resources on the ""entire territory"" (ET) by all sectoral policies. Each species has been assigned to only one level. If measures at the 'entire territory' (ET) level are insufficient for the conservation and promotion of the species, measures at the second level, 'specific habitat conservation' (HC), are required. If this is also insufficient, specific 'species conservation' (SC) measures must also be applied. Therefore, a species requiring specific species conservation measures must also be given special consideration when implementing measures at the 'specific habitat conservation' and 'entire country area' levels.
  • SC species conservation
  • HC habitat conservation
  • NT national territory
SC
Urgency
An expert assessment was made of the urgency with which measures should be implemented, continued and/or newly planned for all species assigned to the specific 'species conservation' and 'habitat conservation' action levels. The two factors of endangerment and international responsibility were considered, as were the prospects of success.
  • Necessary and important
Circle
Circle
Circle
Population in Switzerland
(2021-2024)
The population estimate indicates how many pairs bred during the specified period. As this number fluctuates from year to year and due to uncertainties in population surveys, a range is given. For some species that are difficult to survey, only displaying males are listed. The population estimates cannot be simply doubled to derive the number of individuals. The number of birds is much higher after the breeding season, some birds take years to reach reproductive maturity, and in some cases the sex ratio is not 1:1.
550-680pairs
Red List
Red lists are based on the scientific criteria of the IUCN and assess the risk of extinction of a species. This helps to identify where there is a particularly urgent need for action in nature conservation.
  • Endangered (EN)

Birds of Switzerland

Black-headed Gull To the species profile in the bird database

Project managers

Threats, activities and forecasts
Limiting factors and threats

The availability of nesting sites is a limiting factor. Since natural nesting sites have become rare due to the drainage of wetlands, the species now nests mainly on artificial nesting aids.

 
Breeding season
  • An adequate network of maintained nesting platforms and rafts is important in order to provide sufficient space for nesting and allow the birds to evade predation pressure.
  • Competition with the Yellow-legged Gull for nesting sites should be reduced by carrying out structural work.
 
Migration/ Winter
  • Sufficient habitat available.
  • Due to migration from the north-east, the winter population is about 40 times higher than the breeding population.
  • The population size probably correlates strongly with the European population.
Show more
Necessary activities
Monitoring
  • The breeding population is surveyed annually by local volunteers. This means that problems can be detected and addressed at an early stage.
  • The Swiss Ornithological Institute records the populations in each area.
 
Conservation
  • Local organisations have established a network of nesting aids on suitable bodies of water, which they maintain.
  • The Swiss Ornithological Institute and BirdLife Switzerland organise regular meetings to enable colony guardians to exchange ideas.
 
Research
  • Undergraduate dissertation on food and predators in Neeracherried (2022).
  • Knowledge of factors influencing the colonisation of new nesting sites.
  • In Europe, coastal populations are doing better than inland populations. It is suspected that changes in land use are having an adverse effect here.
Show more
Prospects for success and prognostics
  • If the network of nesting aids continues to be maintained and is expanded a little, the species should be able to survive here.
  • Competition with Yellow-legged Gulls is reduced by work carried out on the nesting aids (e.g. covering them or taking them out of the water until shortly before the Black-headed Gull starts nesting, adding further rafts/platforms if space is short).
  • Switzerland lies toward the southern edge of the breeding range; global warming may have an adverse impact.
Show more
Conservation measures and stakeholders
Provide breeding platforms
Breeding platforms and rafts on watercourses provide alternative habitats to undisturbed gravel banks.
Show more
Cantons
Municipalities
Nature conservation
Prevent / minimize disturbances
Disturbances by humans, dogs or vehicles can, amongst other things, affect habitats and lead to breeding losses.
Show more
Conservation projects Swiss Ornithological Institute
Monitoring
Monitoring of selected species
vogelwarte.ch
©
© Marcel Burkhardt
Birds of Switzerland

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gulls are regular visitors on our lakes and brighten many a grey winter’s day. It is hard to imagine winters without their acrobatic and skilful flights in which they smartly snatch bread away from ducks that are being fed. These opportunistic feeders find a wide range of food in human settlements. The Black-headed Gull was given its scientific name, meaning “laughing gu...
To the species profile in the bird database

Synergies with other priority species

Common Tern

				

			

				

					

						

							 Conservation ProgrammeFor birds in switzerland
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The “Swiss species recovery programme for birds” is a partnership programme between the Swiss Ornithological Institute, BirdLife Switzerland and the FOEN. Together with the federal government, cantons, nature conservation organisations and other stakeholders, it implements targeted measures for priority bird species to ensure their survival.							

						

					


					

						

							
							
Swiss Ornithological Institute

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BirdLife Switzerland

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Federal Office for the Environment FOEN

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