Laughing Gulls are named for their call of "ha-ha-ha-ha-ha" which sounds to some observers like a human laughing. This species' dark gray back, crisp black hood, bright white eye-arcs, and deep crimson bill differentiate it from other gulls in Canada.
Laughing Gull
Leucophaeus atricilla
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Laughing Gull
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Data Deficient
Confidence: Data Deficient
Goal
Data Deficient
The Laughing Gull breeds primarily along the Atlantic coast from Maine to the Caribbean. It may have bred regularly in Atlantic Canada in the first half of the 20th century, but breeding records since then have been rare and irregular. The Canadian population size is not precisely known, but is estimated to be no more than 100 individuals, and far certainly far below <0.1% of the global total of 1.6 million individuals, representing a very low level of responsibility for Canada. Although the continental population has experienced a large increase relative to the early 1970s, the limited and largely anecdotal data for Canada suggest little change in abundance over that period. Data are insufficient to estimate trends or set a goal for the Canadian population.
Migration Strategy
Short-distance
Long-distance
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
<10
Annual
<100
Global
1,600,000
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Marine Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Laughing Gull. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/4cc9-pv07
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Laughing Gulls are named for their call of "ha-ha-ha-ha-ha" which sounds to some observers like a human laughing. This species' dark gray back, crisp black hood, bright white eye-arcs, and deep crimson bill differentiate it from other gulls in Canada.
Distribution and Occurrence
5040
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Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Marine Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Laughing Gull. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/4cc9-pv07