Laughing Fun

Named for its fun and distinctive call, the laughing gull will put a smile on any birder's face. These hooded gulls can be difficult to identify properly, however, because there are several similar species and immature plumages that can be tricky to tell apart.These are monogamous birds and colonial nesters, often sharing nesting colonies of up to 50,000 birds. Both parents work together to create a shallow scrape nest on the ground or in low vegetation, sparsely lined with grass or sticks. Eggs are a buff-olive color with brown spotting or splotches, and 2-4 eggs per brood is most common. Only one brood is laid each year.
While these are not backyard birds, laughing gulls can be attracted to birders on the beach if food is offered. They can be aggressive, however, diving for food tossed in the air or taking food directly from the hand, and it is not recommended; local laws may also prohibit feeding birds. Otherwise, these are approachable birds and birders can easily get good views.In the 1800s, egg poaching and plume hunting severely threatened these gulls, but today their numbers are strong and they are in no danger, though proper beach bird safety should always be observed near nesting gulls so as not to disturb brooding adults or harm chicks. Laughing gulls can occasionally be a threat to other nesting shorebirds, since they are opportunistic feeders and will eat eggs or chicks.