The grey-headed gull, also known as the grey-hooded gull, is a small species of gull which breeds patchily in South America and Africa south of the Sahara. It is not truly migratory, but is dispersive, becoming more widespread in winter. This species has occurred as a rare vagrant to the United States, Italy, and Spain. As is the case with many gulls, it had traditionally been placed in the genus Larus. Recent evidence suggests the South American and African populations may represent two separate cryptic species.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa and South America
Typical Environment
Occurs along coasts, estuaries, and large inland wetlands, including lakes, reservoirs, and river floodplains. Frequently uses salt pans, sewage works, harbors, fish-landing sites, and urban dumps. Breeds colonially on low islands, sandbars, and marshy edges where shallow water offers protection from predators. Outside breeding, it disperses broadly and may appear far from colonies wherever food is abundant.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the grey-hooded gull, it breeds patchily across sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America and then disperses widely outside the breeding season. It is not truly migratory but often moves in response to water levels and food availability, and has turned up as a rare vagrant in North America and Europe. Recent studies suggest African and South American populations may represent cryptic species. Adults in breeding plumage show a distinctive pale grey hood with bright red bill and legs.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong flier with buoyant, steady wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically forms dense colonies during breeding, nesting on the ground in loose scrapes lined with vegetation. Outside the breeding season it gathers in flocks, often mixed with other small gulls and terns. Courtship involves aerial display flights and ground displays with head-tossing and vocalizations.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Calls are sharp, nasal yelps and scolding kek notes, often delivered in rapid series. In colonies it is noisy, with a variety of chatter and squeals used in pair and territorial displays.
Plumage
Breeding adults have a smooth pale grey hood, pale grey mantle, white underparts, and blackish primary tips with small white mirrors; non-breeding birds lose the hood, retaining dusky ear patches. The wings show a clean white trailing edge and pale grey upperwings. Juveniles are mottled brown on the wings and back, becoming cleaner grey with age.
Diet
Omnivorous, taking small fish, aquatic invertebrates, insects (often hawked in flight), worms, and crustaceans. Scavenges refuse and offal around fishing ports and dumps and will take eggs or carrion opportunistically. Frequently forages by picking items from the water surface or mud, and sometimes follows plows or fishing boats.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along shorelines, mudflats, shallow lagoons, flooded fields, rice paddies, and sewage ponds. In urban areas it exploits landfills and harbors where food is predictable.
