Leucophaeus atricilla (Linnaeus, 1758)

Body Measurements

This species measures 36–41 cm (14–16 in) in length, has a 98–110 cm (39–43 in) wingspan, and weighs between 203–371 grams (7.2–13.1 oz).

Summer Adult Plumage

In summer, adult individuals have a white body, paired with dark grey back and wings, and a solid black head. Their wings are much darker grey than all other similar-sized gulls, with the exception of the smaller Franklin's gull. Unlike Franklin's gull, this species has black wing tips that lack a white crescent marking.

Adult Beak Structure

It has a long, red beak.

Winter Adult Plumage

Adults lose most of their black head hood during the winter.

Plumage Maturation Timeline

Laughing gulls require three years to reach full adult plumage.

Immature Plumage General

Immature laughing gulls are always darker than most similar-sized gulls, again excepting Franklin's gull.

First-Year Immature Plumage

First-year laughing gulls are greyer on their underparts, have paler heads than first-year Franklin's gulls, and have a fully black tail.

Second-Year Immature Plumage

Second-year birds can be identified by their specific wing pattern, which features more extensive black coloring on the primary coverts, and they sometimes still retain some black on the tail.

Etymology

The species' common English name comes from its raucous kee-agh call, which sounds like a high-pitched "ha... ha... ha..." laugh.

Breeding Range

This gull breeds along the Atlantic coast of North America, throughout the Caribbean, and in northern South America.

Migration and Vagrancy

The northernmost breeding populations migrate further south for winter, and the species is a rare vagrant visitor to western Europe.