BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 37 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Laughing Gull In Gulf Coastal Prairie

All regionsGulf Coastal PrairieWetland birds

Laughing Gull in Gulf Coastal Prairie has surged: up 745% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+745%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 →
38Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
58YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable 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 Gulf Coastal Prairie: up 745% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Laughing Gull In Gulf Coastal Prairie Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Laughing Gull in Gulf Coastal Prairie is projected to rise about 108% by 2030 — from 38 in 2025 to a central estimate of 80 (95% range 28–131). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±134%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+108%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
80Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
28–13195% 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 →
±134%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 Gulf Coastal Prairie is projected to rise about 108% by 2030 — from 38 in 2025 to a central estimate of 80 (95% range 28–131). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±134%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
20267624127
20277725128
20287826129
20297927130
20308028131

Routes In Gulf Coastal Prairie

Routes recording Laughing Gull in Gulf Coastal Prairie.
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 →
Oyster LakeTEXAS2972025
JuniorLOUISIANA2791991
PetronilaTEXAS2272025
CreoleLOUISIANA1731987
BaysideTEXAS1332010
Ltl Chenier 2LOUISIANA1162011
Loyola BeachTEXAS1142009
IndianolaTEXAS952024
Bayside 2TEXAS892004
Padre Island PaisTEXAS832015
Grand IsleLOUISIANA742019
DanburyTEXAS692025
Sabine Nwr 2LOUISIANA672017
L. Atascosa NwrTEXAS572025
Lag AtascosaTEXAS542025
Bayside 3TEXAS432025
Sabine NwrLOUISIANA372008
WoodlawnLOUISIANA332021
StowellTEXAS292025
Port AcresTEXAS232025
Loyola Beach 2TEXAS152025
ChinquapinTEXAS132025
EstherLOUISIANA112021
HackberryLOUISIANA102016
Ltl ChenierLOUISIANA52025

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.