Laughing Gull

Leucophaeus atricilla

41-43 cm (16-17") Common along coast, rare inland except at Salton Sea. Largest of the black-headed gulls - crow-sized. Black head with broken white eye-ring; red bill; white underparts and tail; dark gray mantle blends into black wing tips. Similar Franklin's Gull has a white wing band between mantle and black wing tips.

Winter adult similar, but head white with smudge of gray behind eye, bill black.

Song: loud laugh.

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Credit: JDD

Distribution Maps

Laughing Gull winter distribution map
Laughing Gull winter distribution map
Laughing Gull distribution map
Laughing Gull distribution map