Laughing Gull
Where to Look
- Ports and harbours
Similar Galapagos Species
Franklin's Gull
Identification
Easily confused with smaller Franklin’s Gull. Laughing gull has a longer bill, less steeply sloping forehead and bulkier build than Franklin’s Gull.
Description
Non-breeding adults are white overall with grey backs, dark legs and feet and a dark bill. They have an incomplete white eye ring and a variable amout of scruffy black markings running from just in front of their eye across their ear coverts to their hind crown. Sexes are alike. Juvenile resembles adult but has scaly brown back and a grey-brown head and breast.
Galapagos Distribution
Found throughout coastal regions of the main archipelago. Occurs throughout the Galapagos Marine Reserve.
Global Distribution
Breads along the east coast and Great Lakes of the USA, overwintering in Mexico, and coastal W and N South America. Resident populations in the Carribean and SE USA coastline.
Status in the Galapagos
Fairly common non-breeding visitor, recorded throughout the year, but most common between October and May