black-headed gull; hooded gull
A common gull species (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) found in Japan, often seen in coastal and urban areas.
In winter, many black-headed gulls come to the river.
The black-headed gull is characterized by its black head.
Katakana spelling is common for this bird name; usually written in kana.
Hiragana spelling, also used.
Kanji spelling is rare; the bird is almost always written in kana.
The name ユリカモメ (yurikamome) literally means 'lily gull', possibly from the bird's white plumage resembling a lily. The exact origin is uncertain.