Laughing Gull
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The Laughing gull is about 16 inches in length. Its white body is covered by a slate-gray mantle and nearly black hood which extends further on the throat than on the back of the head.
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)
The most common breeding gull in coastal North Carolina, Laughing Gulls retreat southward in winter, though a few remain at the coast.
Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla)
The populations of Laughing Gull in the West Indies, Central America and Florida are largely resident but they also breed further north along the Atlantic coast of USA and southern Canada.
Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla)
Laughing gulls are abundant on Assateague from spring through fall, ...
Laughing gull Larus atricilla
Identification Tips:
Length: 13 inches Wingspan: 41 inches
Medium-sized, long-winged gull
Long bill somewhat droopy towards tip
Head flat at forehead, giving "mean" look
Adult plumage reached in third year ...
Laughing Gull
Relatives in same Genus
Herring Gull (L. argentatus)
California Gull (L. californicus)
Mew Gull (L. canus)
Ring-billed Gull (L. delawarensis)
Heermann's Gull (L. heermanni)
Western Gull (L. occidentalis)
Bonaparte's Gull (L.
Laughing Gull
Larus atricilla
The Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) is a common and widespread coastal gull of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States as well as both coasts of Mexico.
Laughing Gulls eat a wide variety of food. They often forage near the water's edge, where they consume fish, crabs, crab eggs, larvae, and other marine animals. They also eat insects or berries when available.
Laughing Gull
(Larus atricilla)
Size: Typically 16 - 17 inches (40.5 - 43 cm).
The Laughing Gull's name is derived from its call. When I visited the aforementioned colony on Bird (or Halibut) Islands in 1941, the birds circled low overhead, calling vociferously.
BLACK-HEADED or LAUGHING GULL, Larus atricilla, Aud. Ord. Biog., vol. iv.p. 118.
Adult, 17, 40 3/4.
Laughing Gull
Larus atricilla
Small numbers on the banks. Common close to shore near Cape Cod.
Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreus ...
Laughing Gulls are noisy, aggressive, quarrelsome birds who often steal the prey of other birds. They also feed on the eggs and young of other birds, including those of their own kind.
Laughing Gull
Leucophaeus atricilla (scientific)
Even the laughing gull's bill changes color during the year. In the breeding season, the bill is red. In the winter, it turns black.
Lesser Goldfinch ...
Laughing Gulls live mainly in prairie marshes and sloughs in large, noisy colonies. They often feed on insects in plowed fields. The eggs (3 buff-brown colored) are laid in a loose platform in a marsh.
Laughing Gull Feeding Frenzy at Brigantine
Grey-headed Gull
What is this Gull?
Mediterranean Gull - Coming to a Coast Near You Soon?
Ratty Summer Gulls ...
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla. Breeder. Common in all seasons in Gulf Coast region. In other regions, rare in all seasons. Found in the Gulf and marshes and on beaches, lakes, and rivers. Lowest concervation concern.
The Laughing Gull occurs in the eastern coastal United States. In northeastern coastal areas, it occurs only during the summer, but in the South and Southeast it occurs throughout the year.
Conservation Status ...
Laughing Gull, Leucophaeus atricilla
Franklin's Gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan
Belcher's Gull, Larus belcheri (A)
Black-tailed Gull, Larus crassirostris (C)
Heermann's Gull, Larus heermanni
Mew Gull, Larus canus ...
RESPONSES OF NESTING COMMON TERNS AND LAUGHING GULLS TO FLYOVERS BY LARGE GULLS
Author(s): PAUL M. CAVANAGH AND CURTICE R. GRIFFIN
Abstract: Disturbance can reduce productivity by disrupting nesting behavior.
Human disturbance can be significant, poaching of eggs, young and adults occurs, and since Brown Pelicans are sensitive at their breeding localities they can loose their eggs to scavenging Laughing Gulls and other predators if disturbed.
Of the nine species of gulls regularly found in Florida, only Laughing Gulls breed here. Laughing Gulls are most common in coastal areas but are also found inland, including in urban areas. They nest in large colonies.
The powerful flight of the Jaeger, its larger size than our common Laughing Gull, and its darker color will make it stand out in the flock.
Parasitic Jaeger
This is the more common and smaller of the Jaegers.
Similar Species: Franklin's Gull, Laughing Gull, Sabine's Gull. See Identification Tips.
Conservation Status: Populations appear to be stable.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Bonaparte's Gull ...
Laughing gull (Larus atricilla)
Red-billed tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus)
Oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus)
Black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)
Snowy egret (Egretta thula)
Jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi)
Lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) ...
For example, ringbill gulls (Larus delawarensis) are found from North America to South America and into the Caribbean; laughing gulls (L. atricilla) can be seen in Brazil, Peru, and both coasts of the United States; ...
The great black backed gull is larger and lives more northerly; the ring billed, Bonapart's, and laughing gull are smaller. The Franklin's gull of the Great Plains is called the "prairie dove".
Among the other black-headed gulls, the Little Gull lacks the eye arcs, and Black-headed Gull, Franklin's Gull and Laughing Gull all have red or reddish bills.
4. Least Tern (Sterna antilarum) ...
On busy beaches, the birds and their nests are extremely vulnerable to human disturbance and to predation by domestic dogs, raccoons and laughing gulls. For these reasons, black skimmers are listed as a Species of Special Concern.
* Laughing Gull, Larus atricilla
* Lava Gull, Larus fuliginosus
* Lesser Black-backed Gull, Larus fuscus
* Little Gull, Larus minutus
* Mediterranean Gull, Larus melanocephalus
* Olrog's Gull, Larus atlanticus
* Pacific Gull, Larus pacificus ...
marinus, is more northern; the ring-billed, Bonaparte's, and laughing gull are smaller. The Franklin's gull of the Great Plains is called the "prairie dove." The California and western gulls are common on the Pacific coast.
Atlantic Puffins, Common Murres, Herring Gulls, Common Terns, Roseate Terns, Manx Shearwaters, Horned Grebes and Laughing Gulls are regularly culled by the Great Black-backs.
Larus atricilla, Laughing Gull
Laticauda colubrina, Banded Sea Krait
Leiuranus semicinctus, Saddled Snake Eel
Leucoraja melitensis, Maltese Ray
Limnonectes microtympanum, Sulawesi Wart Frog
Liopropoma aurora, Aurora Basslet ...
 See also: Gull, Herring, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Phalarope
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