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

Laughing Gull Population Trend in Louisiana

All statesWetland birds

Laughing Gull in Louisiana has fallen sharply: down 55% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

-55%Since 1971TrendPercent 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 →
27Routes 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 →
51YearsYears 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 LouisianaNotable 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 declinecomputed 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 fallen sharply in Louisiana: down 55% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Laughing Gull Population Forecast in Louisiana

If the recent trend holds, Laughing Gull in Louisiana is projected to rise about 36× by 2029 — from 0.12 in 2024 to a central estimate of 4.4 (95% range 0.00–11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±4025.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

36×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 →
4.4Projected 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 →
0.00–1195% 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 →
±4025.4%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 Louisiana is projected to rise about 36× by 2029 — from 0.12 in 2024 to a central estimate of 4.4 (95% range 0.00–11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±4025.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
20254.20.0011
20264.20.0011
20274.30.0011
20284.40.0011
20294.40.0011

Laughing Gull Survey Routes in Louisiana

Routes recording Laughing Gull in Louisiana.
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 →
Junior27919911987
Creole17319871967
Ltl Chenier 211620112010
Grand Isle7420192010
Sabine Nwr 26720172009
Keystone4219811981
Sabine Nwr3720081989
Woodlawn3320212014
Esther1120211990
Hackberry1020161982
Glencoe420182000
Gibson420142000
Berwick420161989
Forked Island320242009
Lafitte219911975
Kaplan220232009
Ltl Chenier220241986
Freetown119871987
Gran Chenier119811976
River Road120212021
Forked Island 2120112011
Ramah120181998
Maurice120221989
Brousville120212017
Pearl River120232023

Laughing Gull Population Trend in Other States

alabamacaliforniadelawarefloridageorgiamainemarylandmassachusettsnew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinarhode-islandsouth-carolinatexasvirginia

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