Laughing Gull vs Heermann's Gull

Larus atricilla compared with Larus heermanni

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Laughing Gull Heermann's Gull
Scientific Name Larus atricilla Larus heermanni
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Near Threatened
Length
Wingspan 59.7 cm (23.5 in) 67.2 cm (26.5 in)
Weight 307.3333333333333 g (10.84 oz) 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 1-2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Laughing Gull only

None

Heermann's Gull only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Laughing Gull

Near Threatened

Heermann's Gull

About These Birds

Laughing Gull

Laughing Gull, 36–41 cm, is a medium-sized gull of Atlantic and Caribbean coasts, with a distinctive laughing call. Breeding adult has a full black hood, dark red bill. Omnivore; follows fishing boats, scavenges at beaches, steals prey from Brown Pelicans. Migratory; winters to northern South America.

Heermann's Gull

Heermann's Gull, 46–51 cm, is distinctive — dark grey body, white head (breeding), red bill. Breeds almost entirely on Isla Rasa in the Gulf of California, then disperses north along the Pacific coast to British Columbia. Kleptoparasite; steals fish from Brown Pelicans. Near Threatened; range highly restricted.

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