Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla)

The most common gull in the summer at the North Carolina beaches, this gull's voice can break out in a maniacal laughter sound. In the winter, nearly all Laughing Gulls head south and leave NC.

	Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) Ft. Fisher in New Hanover Co., NC 18 May 2008 In summer breeding plumage, Lauging Gull heads are all black. White crescents are found above & below their eyes, and bills are deep blood red.
	Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) Ft. Fisher in New Hanover Co., NC 18 May 2008
	Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) Ft. Fisher in New Hanover Co., NC 18 May 2008

	In winter, the heads of Laughing Gulls are not black. Miami-Dade Co., FL 6 Oct 2006
	Adult Collier Co., FL 8 Oct 2006
	Immature (1st winter) Laughing Gull. Note the wings feathers have not yet molted to the adult's smooth gray appearance. Collier Co., FL 8 Oct 2006
	Adult Collier Co., FL 31 Dec 2007

Cape Hatteras, Dare Co., NC
27 May 2006

Breeding plumage adults (right) have full black heads, while immature and non-breeding Laughing Gulls lack all black heads.

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Created on ... June 29, 2006 | Updated on ... December 8, 2008 | jspippen@duke.edu