Black-headed gull with pink blush (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) 26547

Restharrow scrape, Sandwich, Kent, England.

An unusual bird amongst the flock.

A shot showing more clearly the extent of the blush.

 

See:

Zoetermeer, Benthuizerplas, The Netherlands, March 3, 2012.

Adult Black-headed Gull with distinctive pink underparts, reportedly due to the secretion from the preen gland, with which the feathers are maintained. This effect is supposedly diet-related. It apparently does not interfere with finding a partner (inset).

www.flickr.com/photos/little-w/6949695665/

See also :

morgithology.blogspot.com/2011/03/black-headed-gull-varia...

Done