Laughing Gull

Adults in breeding plumage have a black head, dark gray back and wings, white underparts, white trailing edges on the wings, and red bill and legs. Non-breeding adults have a mottled gray-white head with a dark smudge around the eye and a black bill. Juveniles are brownish overall with a pale belly and dark tail band.

Dark slate-gray back, black head (in breeding season), white underparts, drooping red bill, and white crescents above and below the eye.

Length: 36-41 cm (14-16 in), Wingspan: 98-110 cm (39-43 in), Weight: 200-350 g (7.1-12.3 oz)

A loud, raucous series of notes sounding like a mocking, laughing ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.

Omnivorous; feeds on fish, crabs, marine invertebrates, insects, garbage, and occasionally robs other birds of their food.

Coastal marine environments, salt marshes, estuaries, bays, and beaches; rarely found far inland unless near large lakes or rivers.

Partial migrant; northern populations migrate south for the winter, while southern populations are year-round residents.

Nests in colonies on coastal islands and salt marshes, building a ground scrape lined with grass. Clutch size is typically 2 to 4 eggs, incubated by both parents.

Franklin's Gull, which is smaller, has a more rounded head, white wingtips, and lacks the extensive dark underwing pattern of the Laughing Gull.

Acts as a marine and coastal scavenger, helping to control insect populations and clean up organic waste in coastal ecosystems.

Least Concern, with a stable population trend.

Look along beaches, saltwater marshes, piers, and parking lots near the coast. They are often quite bold around humans and readily approach for food.

The Laughing Gull gets its common name from its distinct vocalization, which sounds remarkably like human laughter.