Laughing Gull

Laughing Gull, adult breeding plumage

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Laughing Gull, adult non-breeding plumage

Laughing Gull 1st winter

Laughing Gull juvenile

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A smallish gull with a black head, the Laughing Gull is abundant along the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Infrequently found away from the ocean, it takes advantage of human habitat modifications, foraging in parking lots and dumps, and breeding on dredge spoil islands.

Description

• Medium-sized gull.
• Back slatey gray.
• Underparts white.
• Wingtips black, without extensive white markings.
• Entire head black in breeding season.

• Size: 39-46 cm (15-18 in)
• Wingspan: 92-120 cm (36-47 in)
• Weight: 203-371 g (7.17-13.1 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike; males slightly larger

Sound

Very vocal. Common call a loud series of laughing notes.

Conservation Status

Nest colonies in northeastern United States were nearly eliminated by egg and plume hunters in the late 19th century. Populations have increased over the last century, following protection.

Other Names

Mouette atricille (French)
Guanaguanare (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• Nest colonies in northeastern United States were nearly eliminated by egg and plume hunters in the late 19th century. Populations have increased over the last century, following protection.

• The male and female Laughing Gull usually build their nest together. If a male cannot find a mate, he may start building a nest platform and then use it to attract a female.

• The adult Laughing Gull removes the eggshells from the nest after the eggs hatch. If the shells are not removed, a piece can become lodged on top of the slightly smaller unhatched third egg and prevent it from hatching.

• The Laughing Gull is normally diurnal, being active during the day. During the breeding season it forages at night as well. It usually looks for food along the beach at night, but will also hover to catch insects around lights.

Sources used to construct this page:

Burger, J. 1996. Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla). In The Birds of North America, No. 225 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.