They might be called Laughing Gulls because of the sounds they make which is a ha-ha-ha-ha, you can listen to the call here.
Calling Laughing Gull in breeding plumage – Nikon D200, handheld, f14, 1/350, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm at 185mm, natural light, not baited
Laughing Gulls are quite noisy when they are in a flock but I never minded listening to them, in fact they often made me laugh.
This Laughing Gull was photographed on Fort De Soto County Park’s north beach, the sand had been piled up to fortify the feet of the lifeguard tower. This bird is in breeding plumage, look at the huge opening of the bill!
Laughing Gull calling because of an “intruder” – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/750, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm at 300mm, natural light, not baited
This Laughing Gull was also photographed at Fort De Soto but it was just going into breeding plumage, it wasn’t happy that another gull landed near it and was letting that be known quite loudly!
Maybe they aren’t called Laughing Gulls because of their calls but it sure makes the most sense to me!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Laughing Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.
Thank you all for your kind comments on this Laughing Gull post!
If you ever saw me walking along the beach, you would know why they are laughing! 🙂
The shore just wouldn’t be the same without that raucous call.
Now if they could all just look like that second photo, they’d be so much easier to ID!!!:) Until then, I’ll have to just listen to their laugh for ID:)
I also have a lot of fun with popular names for species. I love finding out why they were named the way they did. The ‘Laughing Gull’ is a great example.
Laughing at another world. Brilliant Mia.
Those sharp beaks look like they can co some serious damage…interesting colors.
ha ha, the 1st is excelent, and the title is well found mia =)))
have a nice day ☼