BirdAnalyst
Species · North Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Laughing Gull Population Trend in North Carolina

All statesWetland birds

Laughing Gull in North Carolina has surged: up 293% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+293%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 →
25Routes 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 →
57YearsYears 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 North CarolinaNotable 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 North Carolina: up 293% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Laughing Gull Population Forecast in North Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Laughing Gull in North Carolina is projected to rise about 460% by 2029 — from 2.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 14 (95% range 0.00–30). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±359.4%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+460%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 →
14Projected 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 →
0.00–3095% 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 →
±359.4%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 North Carolina is projected to rise about 460% by 2029 — from 2.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 14 (95% range 0.00–30). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±359.4%, with 80% 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 →
2025140.0030
2026140.0030
2027140.0030
2028140.0030
2029140.0030

Laughing Gull Survey Routes in North Carolina

Routes recording Laughing Gull in North Carolina.
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 →
Ernul50020082001
Mashoes12919821972
Myrtle Grove12720241966
Merrimon4920231968
Shallotte4219911980
Arapahoe3519921992
Cayton1920242010
Grandy1819751971
Newport1620231995
Mattamuskeet1620211998
Milltail Cr1520241992
Old Trap1220222011
Spring Hope920242007
Supply820241992
Reelsboro620181997
Beargrass419811972
Congleton220222017
Jarvisburg219991992
Jamesville220232013
Sheep Ridge120061997
Speed119981998
Kinston120082008
Broad Creek120231995
Jones Corner120072003
Jarvisburg 2120222000

Laughing Gull Population Trend in Other States

alabamacaliforniadelawarefloridageorgialouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsnew-jerseynew-yorkrhode-islandsouth-carolinatexasvirginia

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