BirdAnalyst
Species · Alabama · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Laughing Gull Population Trend in Alabama

All statesWetland birds

Laughing Gull in Alabama has surged: up 29× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

29×Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
12Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
53YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

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

long arc increasecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Laughing Gull has surged in Alabama: up 29× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Laughing Gull Population Forecast in Alabama

If the recent trend holds, Laughing Gull in Alabama is projected to rise about 26% by 2028 — from 5.9 in 2023 to a central estimate of 7.4 (95% range 2.1–13). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±3751.7%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+26%Change by 2028TrendPercent 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 →
7.4Projected 2028 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
2.1–1395% 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 →
±3751.7%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 in Alabama is projected to rise about 26% by 2028 — from 5.9 in 2023 to a central estimate of 7.4 (95% range 2.1–13). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±3751.7%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672028
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 →
20247.01.712
20257.11.812
20267.21.912
20277.32.013
20287.42.113

Laughing Gull Survey Routes in Alabama

Routes recording Laughing Gull in Alabama.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Bon Secour42420231993
Alabama Pt22920031967
Dauphin Is 37720212021
Dauphin Is6119901967
Alabama Pt 24620192004
Chacaloochee Bay3620192009
Dauphin Is 22520191991
St. Elmo1520211998
Elberta320221992
Bay Minette320092002
Georgetown119961996
Choccolocco119911991

Laughing Gull Population Trend in Other States

californiadelawarefloridageorgialouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsnew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinarhode-islandsouth-carolinatexasvirginia

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.