BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Laughing Gull

LaridaeWetland birdsLeucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull has edged down: down 20% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-20%Since 1968TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
254RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
58Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the Laughing Gull

The Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) is a North American member of the Gulls, Terns & Skimmers (Laridae). In this analysis it is grouped with the wetland birds.

Size
8.5–31.5 in long (22–80 cm) — a long-winged waterbird (typical for the family)
Habitat
Marshes, ponds, lakeshores and other freshwater wetlands.
Diet
Aquatic invertebrates, small fish, frogs and plant matter.
Range
Recorded on 254 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 16 states, most concentrated in the New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast.
Family
Laridae · Wetland birds

Notable Laughing Gull TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Laughing Gull. See the full index history below.

Laughing Gull Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Laughing Gull is projected to rise about 226% by 2029 — from 0.79 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.6 (95% range 1.0–4.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±139.3%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+226%Change by 2029TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
2.6Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
1.0–4.195% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±139.3%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Laughing Gull is projected to rise about 226% by 2029 — from 0.79 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.6 (95% range 1.0–4.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±139.3%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20252.50.984.1
20262.50.994.1
20272.51.04.1
20282.61.04.1
20292.61.04.1

Where the Laughing Gull Is Detected

BBS routes recording Laughing Gull, sized by most recent count.

Laughing Gull Population Trend by State

Laughing Gull population trend by state.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Alabama29×196912
Californiainsufficient datan/a1
Delaware+20%196815
Florida+35%196859
Georgia-59%20015
Louisiana-55%197127
Maineinsufficient datan/a2
Maryland-38%196827
Massachusetts-17%19884
New Jersey25×197025
New Yorkinsufficient datan/a2
North Carolina+293%196925
Rhode Islandinsufficient datan/a1
South Carolina+145%19696
Texas+603%196929
Virginia-79%196814

Laughing Gull Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Laughing Gull population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Mississippi Alluvial Valley-95%19898
Southeastern Coastal Plain+349%196870
New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast+4%196885
Peninsular Florida-18%196841
Tamaulipan Brushlands-19%19707
Gulf Coastal Prairie+926%196938

Laughing Gull Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it down about 20% since 1968.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.