Chroicocephalus

The group of “refined” gulls—often smaller, more agile, and significantly less aggressive than the massive “garbage-can” gulls we see at the beach. While they are found all over the world, they share a common aesthetic: they are the black-headed gulls. Most species in this genus grow a dark chocolate-brown or charcoal-grey “hood” during the breeding season, which makes them look like they’ve dipped their heads in ink. What technically sets them apart from the larger Larus genus is their slender build, finer bills, and a flight style that is much more buoyant and “tern-like.”

One of the most fascinating traits of the Chroicocephalus genus is its dietary flexibility. While many gulls are strict scavengers or fish-eaters, these gulls are highly opportunistic “insectivores.” You will often see them following tractors in farmers’ fields to snatch up earthworms and grubs, or performing incredible aerial stunts over lakes to catch flying insects. This ability to hunt in the air, on the water, and on land makes them incredibly successful in diverse environments, from the high-altitude lakes of the Andes to the busy harbors of Europe.

The “humanized” side of these gulls is their community-driven lifestyle. They are highly social and rarely do anything alone. They nest in colonies that can number in the thousands, and they use a complex system of “long calls” and visual displays to communicate with their neighbors. They are also famous for being the “early warning system” for other birds; because they are so alert and vocal, their loud alarm calls often tip off other species to the presence of a hawk or a fox, making them the unintentional protectors of the marsh.