Laughing Gull

Laughing Gull (Winter Plumage)

I’m pretty much the most common gull that you’ll find on Florida’s beaches. In the wintertime I lose my black head. I really do sound like I’m laughing when I get excited with a group of my friends!

Most Likely Found: At the beach

When: Year-Round

Where I've photographed: Black Skimmer Colonies, Circle B Bar Reserve, Fort De Soto, Lake Hancock Outfall Wetlands, Lake Morton

Read more: Laughing Gull at Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Ebird: Laughing Gull eBird range


I have written 32 posts including a photo of a Laughing Gull

Laughing Gull

Fort de Soto Photography in Early April

April 5, 2017 - "Nuh-uh-nuh-uh" came the familiar sound of Laughing Gulls as they ensured the survival of their species.... Never fear, there will be plenty of Laughing Gulls to steal your fries at the North Beach concession stand this summer!... Read more

Laughing Gull

Vacation Beginnings at Fort De Soto

April 29, 2015 - It's that time of year when the Laughing Gulls are doing their somewhat disgusting courtship ritual of passing regurgitated fish as a sort of "engagement gift."  The female follows the male around, flapping her wings and repeatedly calling, in the same way that her chicks will soon call for their food.... Read more

Laughing Gull

Lakeland Christmas Bird Count 2014

December 21, 2014 - We found lots of Caspian Terns and Laughing Gulls....  The Laughing Gulls were in their drab winter plumage, but they still seemed to laugh at us as we scanned the flocks, hoping for a rarity mixed in.... Read more

Food Fight!

Food Fight! Silly Laughing Gulls

August 10, 2014 - On our last trip to Indian Rocks Beach to photograph the juvenile Black Skimmers, my dad and I had a blast watching a food fight among some silly laughing gulls....  Oh well, such is the life of a Laughing Gull...... Read more

Fishing Buddies

September 21, 2012 - ...I had such a good time watching the gulls and the pelicans at Fort De Soto on my last visit. Those gulls are smart – they hang around the pelicans, and when the pelicans grab a big mouthful of fish, the gulls swoop in and steal a bite. I watched them do it over and […] Read more

East Beach Sunrise

May 9, 2012 - ...I had fun photographing the sunrise on the morning that I went to Fort De Soto to look for migrants.  When I arrived at the East Beach turnaround, the sun was just beginning to peek out from over the horizon.  I spotted a Great Blue Heron near me, so I tried to position him for […] Read more

Laughing Gull

Piggy-Back Rides – Fort De Soto Laughing Gulls

May 4, 2012 - I've enjoyed the opportunity to photograph Laughing Gull courtship behaviors over the past two weekends at Fort De Soto.  My mom asked me, "what's with your recent interesting in photographing…that?"  Well, it's fun!  Birds can be such clowns when it comes to flirting.  And what photographer can resist a good…... Read more

Early Fall Migrants at Fort De Soto

July 24, 2011 - I arrived at North Beach at Fort De Soto just after sunrise, around 7:00 in the morning.  The area around the concession stands was simply covered in Laughing Gulls.  They feed around the picnic tables, where people share their picnic lunches (some willingly, others  not!)  The gulls are starting the…... Read more

Sunrise at Fort De Soto

April 23, 2011 - American Oystercatcher The Laughing Gulls flew around me constantly, and I tried to get good shots of them in flight and landing.  They were fun to watch as they tried to attract a mate: Laughing Gull Laughing Gulls mating A Reddish Egret flew by me and landed farther down on…... Read more

Sunset at Fort De Soto

April 22, 2011 - Red-Breasted Merganser There was a small flock of Short-Billed Dowitchers that flew in which I watched.  Half of them have started to get their breeding blush.  They moved en masse, and I thought this shot of the group with everybody's head turned in the same direction was fun: Short-Billed Dowitcher…... Read more

Quiet Morning at Fort De Soto

March 12, 2011 - Pied-Billed Grebe When I arrived at the North Beach, there was a flock of about 50 Laughing Gulls at the shoreline.   As common as these birds are, it's the first time I've had the opportunity to photograph them in their breeding plumage.  When I see them at the Circle B…... Read more

Spring is in the Air at the Circle B Bar Reserve

February 12, 2011 - I saw this Laughing Gull and thought it was fun to see his breeding colors starting to come in.  These gulls have white faces in the winter and black faces in the breeding season.  This guy is kinda halfway in the middle!... Laughing Gull I was admiring the Tree Swallows…... Read more

Laughing Gull

Beautiful Morning at Fort De Soto

November 23, 2010 - Laughing Gull I think this is a Least Tern.... Black-Bellied Plover https://vimeo.com/341093593 Bird List: American Goldfinch, Black and White Warbler, Black-Bellied Plover, Black-Crowned Night Heron (juvenile), Black Skimmer, Brown Pelican, Dunlin, Eastern Phoebe, Herring Gull, House Wren, Laughing Gull, Least Sandpiper, Least Tern, Long-Billed Dowitcher, Osprey, Palm Warbler, Pine Warbler,…... Read more

My First Trip to Fort De Soto

September 4, 2010 - Laughing Gull I got to the North Beach at sunrise and stayed there for about three hours.... Willet The one bird that I did recognize this morning was the Laughing Gull, who also visits Circle B in the wintertime.  I've never seen a male in his full breeding plumage.  The…... Read more

Cold Birdwatching at Circle B Bar Reserve

January 31, 2010 - Roseate spoonbill There were tons of laughing gulls on Wading Bird Way.  This one caught a big fish, then all his buddies ran after him and tried to steal it.  Go catch your own fish, silly birds!... Laughing Gull (with fish!) We saw these little least sandpipers running along the…... Read more