The black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) gets its name from its hoarse, loud cry. It is a medium-sized larid recognizable in adulthood (at least two years) by its black-brown hood, looking black from afar. In winter, the adult loses this hood, of which it only keeps two dark spots in front of its eyes and two others on its ears. Its head appears completely white from a distance. Omnivorous, the black-headed gull frequents lakes, coastal ponds, marshes, estuaries, and reed beds.