The brown-hooded gull is a species of gull, found in South America in Argentina, southeastern Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Falkland Islands. Its specific epithet, maculipennis, means 'spotted wings'. Like the other species of the genus Chroicocephalus, it was formerly included in a broad view of the genus Larus.
Region
Southern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from central and southern Argentina and Chile to Uruguay, the Falkland Islands, and seasonally north into southeastern Brazil. It uses coastal shorelines, estuaries, mudflats, and sheltered bays, as well as inland lakes, reservoirs, and marshes. The species readily exploits agricultural fields, pastures, ports, and urban refuse sites. Breeding colonies are typically on low, unvegetated or grassy islets and marshy margins near freshwater or brackish water.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
In breeding plumage it shows a rich chocolate-brown hood, which fades outside the season to leave a dark ear spot. Its specific epithet maculipennis means 'spotted wing', referring to the white mirrors and contrasting black tips on the primaries. Highly adaptable, it frequents beaches, estuaries, lakes, and even urban dumps, often following fishing boats and tractors. It nests colonially on ground sites in marshes and islands.
Temperament
social and opportunistic
Flight Pattern
buoyant flight with steady wingbeats and brief glides
Social Behavior
Often forms large mixed flocks with other gulls and terns at feeding and roosting sites. Nests colonially on the ground, with scrape nests lined with vegetation; clutch size is usually two to three eggs. Both parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, yelping and mewing gull calls, often given in rapid series at colonies. Alarm and aggressive calls are harsher and louder, while contact calls are shorter and more nasal.
