One of the most important distinguishing features of the Black-headed Gull is its red bill, which will rule out the all-black bill of the Bonaparte’s Gull and many other of the expected hooded gulls. Black-headed Gulls also have a brown hood, contrary to their name, which will separate them from the black-hooded Bonaparte’s Gull; however, at a distance both of these features can be tough to distinguish. So, the one I will often use to pick out Black-headed Gulls from the crowd is that their hoods are “less complete”. On Bonaparte’s Gull, it seems to cover the entire face while on a Black-headed Gull it appears to be almost cut off. Black-headed Gulls are also larger than their Bonaparte’s cousins, and have a heavier bill, though not as heavy a bill as a Laughing Gull’s.

 Answer: Black-headed Gull by Cameron Johnson. Notice the brown hood (despite the name) and red bill. At a distance also look for the less extensive hood when comparing to the Bonaparte’s Gull below.

 Answer: Bonaparte’s Gull by Cameron Johnson. Notice the black hood and bill. Also note the more complete hood.