| IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): | Least Concern
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| Approximate size(adult): | A large gull measuring 55–60 cm in length with a wingspan of 140–160 cm. It has a massive black head in breeding plumage, white body, pale grey upperwings, and a heavy yellow bill tipped with red. Non-breeding adults lose the full black hood, retaining only smudges on the head.
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| Resident/ Migrate from: | Breeds across Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Tibet, and parts of northwestern India. Most populations are migratory, leaving the breeding grounds after summer.
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| Migrate to: | Winters along coastal South Asia, the Middle East, and northeastern Africa, frequenting estuaries, lagoons, and large inland lakes. Regular winter visitor to western and peninsular India.
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| Breeding season: | Breeds from May to July, nesting in colonies on islands or isolated shores of large lakes and reservoirs. The nest is built from grass and debris on bare ground. Clutch usually contains 2–3 eggs.
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| Breed in: | Found breeding around high-altitude saline and freshwater lakes in semi-arid steppe regions of Central Asia and the Tibetan Plateau.
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| Habitat: | Prefers large inland lakes, reservoirs, and coastal lagoons; during migration and winter, also found on estuaries, tidal flats, and beaches. Often seen resting on sandbars or feeding offshore.
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| Diet: | Opportunistic carnivore—feeds on fish, crustaceans, insects, carrion, and small mammals, and occasionally bird eggs or chicks. Forages by plunging, picking from the surface, or scavenging along shorelines.
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