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

Laughing Gull Population Trend in South Carolina

All statesWetland birds

Laughing Gull in South Carolina has surged: up 145% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+145%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 →
6Routes 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 →
39YearsYears 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 South 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 South Carolina: up 145% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Laughing Gull Population Forecast in South Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Laughing Gull in South Carolina is projected to rise about 129% by 2029 — from 1.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.3 (95% range 0.00–10). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±107.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+129%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 →
3.3Projected 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 →
0.00–1095% 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 →
±107.2%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 South Carolina is projected to rise about 129% by 2029 — from 1.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.3 (95% range 0.00–10). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±107.2%, with 100% 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 →
20253.20.0010
20263.20.0010
20273.20.0010
20283.30.0010
20293.30.0010

Laughing Gull Survey Routes in South Carolina

Routes recording Laughing Gull in South 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 →
Kiawah Island3020241998
Johns Isle1819791966
Hardeeville1020062006
Dale420082005
Jamestown119971997
Adams Run120232005

Laughing Gull Population Trend in Other States

alabamacaliforniadelawarefloridageorgialouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsnew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinarhode-islandtexasvirginia

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