The species is classed as Least Concern by the IUCN; human pressure and oil pollution are deemed the major threats.

[2] Adult white-eyed gulls have a black hood in breeding plumage, which extends down onto the upper throat, and on the neck-sides is bordered below by a narrow white bar.

The upperparts and inner upperwings are medium-dark grey; the breast is mid-grey but the rest of the underparts are white.

In their first winter, birds acquire greyer feathering on their head, breast and upperparts; the second-winter plumage is closer to that of the adult, but lacking the hood.

For the rest of the year it occurs throughout the Red Sea, with some birds travelling to Oman and Somalia.