There are a few types of birds that resemble seagulls with dark spots or markings on their heads that could be described as looking like “blackheads”. Determining the exact species requires looking at key identifying features and distributions. The most likely candidates are specific species of gulls, terns, or skimmers that have black markings on their heads during certain times of year. Ruling out look-alike species and immature plumages of other birds is also important. We will examine the plumage, size, shape, behavior, geographic location and other clues that can help pinpoint species of sea and shorebirds that produce this distinctive look.
Gull Species with Dark Head Markings
Many gull species develop dark spots or streaks on their heads during the breeding season. This is often most prominent on the head and neck. Here are some gull species to consider:
Laughing Gull
The Laughing Gull is a medium-sized gull with a black hood in the summer. Their wings are gray above and black tips on the primary feathers. Laughing gulls breed along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America and winter further south including Central America and northern South America.
Key identifying features of the Laughing Gull:
- Black head with white “eye crescents” in breeding plumage
- Gray wings with black wingtips
- Red or orange bill
- Coastal distribution along the Atlantic and Gulf
The black head could be described as looking like “blackheads” during the summer months when their breeding plumage is most colorful.
Mediterranean Gull
The Mediterranean Gull is a medium-sized gull that breeds across southern Europe into central Asia. It has a jet black hood with a white eye ring during breeding season. Their wings are gray above and white below with black tips.
Key identifying features of the Mediterranean Gull:
- Black hood with distinct white eye rings
- Gray wings with black tips
- Red bill and legs
- Coastal breeder across southern Europe and central Asia
The striking black head plumage in summer could resemble a head covered in blackheads. This species is rare along the northeast coast of North America.
Bonaparte’s Gull
Bonaparte’s Gull is a small mostly inland gull of North America. It develops a prominent black ear spot and black markings on the neck and head during breeding season. Their wings are gray above and white below with black tips.
Key identifying features of Bonaparte’s Gull:
- Black markings on head and ear spot
- Small and lightly built
- Inland breeding distribution in Canada and Alaska
- White outer tail feathers
The black smudges on the head may remind some people of blackheads in summer. This species does not closely associate with the coast except during migration.
Tern Species with Dark Head Markings
Terns are coastal and inland birds related to gulls with more slender profiles and longer, pointier wings. Many terns develop black caps or masks across the forehead, eyes and lore during the breeding season. Here are some tern species to consider:
Black Tern
The Black Tern is a small tern species that breeds across much of North America. It develops a black head and breast in the summer months. The back and wings are gray.
Key identifying features of the Black Tern:
- Black head and breast in breeding plumage
- Gray back and wings
- Black bill
- Inland freshwater breeder
The solid black head could evoke an image of blackheads in summer. This species does not nest along ocean coasts.
Roseate Tern
The Roseate Tern breeds along the northeast coast of North America down to the Caribbean as well as across the pond in Western Europe. during breeding seasons, adults develop a solid black cap and black nape that contrasts with white cheeks. The bill is black with a reddish base.
Key identifying features of the Roseate Tern:
- Black cap and nape
- Mostly white body
- Long tail streamers
- Coastal breeding range in Northeast and Caribbean
The black cap could be described as resembling blackheads in the peak summer breeding plumage. It does not extend across the whole head like some other terns.
Sooty Tern
The Sooty Tern is tropical seabird with a global distribution across world’s oceans. It has a black mask across the eyes and forehead that connects around the nape. The wings and back are gray and the undersides are white.
Key identifying features of the Sooty Tern:
- Black mask across top of head and nape
- Gray back and wings
- White undersides
- Tropical and subtropical oceans
The black mask could resemble a case of blackheads across the head region. This is a strictly tropical species unlikely to be seen near land outside of breeding colonies.
Skimmer Species with Dark Head Markings
Skimmers are tropical and subtropical birds related to gulls and terns. They have oversized bills with the lower mandible longer than the upper. They fly along the water surface with the lower bill plowing the water to catch fish. Some develop dark markings on their heads during breeding season.
Black Skimmer
The Black Skimmer is a unique seabird that breeds along the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the US as well as in South America and the Caribbean. During breeding season adults develop a black cap and thick black stripes behind the eye that could recall the appearance of blackheads.
Key identifying features of the Black Skimmer:
- Black cap and eye stripe
- Massive red and black bill with underslung lower mandible
- Breeds along southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts
- Distinctive feeding method
The location of the black head markings specifically around the eyes and forehead could evoke the look of blackheads for some observers.
Indian Skimmer
The Indian Skimmer breeds from southern Asia across maritime Southeast Asia. It has a black cap and thick black eye stripe that develops in the breeding season and could resemble blackheads. The massive bill has a red lower mandible.
Key identifying features of the Indian Skimmer:
- Black cap and eye stripe
- Red lower mandible on huge bill
- Coastal distribution across southern and southeast Asia
- Unique skimming feeding method
The Indian Skimmer shares the distinctive black head markings of its American cousin, possibly reminding some of blackheads. It occurs in coastal areas from India to Indonesia.
Similar Species to Exclude
There are a few other sea and shorebird species that could potentially be confused with the candidates described above either because they lack breeding plumage or inhabit overlapping ranges. However, these lack the distinct black markings that would evoke blackheads.
Ring-billed Gull
The Ring-billed Gull is a common medium-sized gull of North America. It has a yellow or olive colored bill with a black band and no black head markings. First-year birds are streaked brown and gray.
Caspian Tern
The Caspian Tern is the largest North American tern. It has a thick red-orange bill and a small black cap that doesn’t cover the eyes or throat. Immatures are mottled gray and white.
Gull-billed Tern
Gull-billed Terns breed along the southeast US coast and have black caps covering just the top of the head, not the whole face. The massive bill is the key feature.
South Polar Skua
The South Polar Skua breeds in Antarctica and has variable plumages. It lacks distinctive black head markings and has a bulkier profile than skimmers.
Conclusion
In summary, the birds that most closely match the description of a seagull with “blackheads” are:
- Laughing Gull
- Mediterranean Gull
- Bonaparte’s Gull
- Black Tern
- Roseate Tern
- Sooty Tern
- Black Skimmer
- Indian Skimmer
These species develop dark black spots, masks, caps, or stripes on the head and neck region during the breeding season that could seem reminiscent of blackheads to some observers. Carefully noting field marks like plumage colors, bill shape, geographic range, feeding behaviors, and size can help distinguish look-alike species. Seabirds display amazing variations in breeding plumages that are adapted to signaling mate quality and bonding. The black head markings sported by many of these species certainly grab our attention.