Leucophaeus atricilla megalopterus

(Bruch, 1855)

Vernacular names
English : Laughing gull
French : Mouette atricille

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Charadriiformes
Family : Laridae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known

Identification
Adults can grow to 46 cm in length for a weight of 400 g. Bill and legs are dirty dark red. Head is slaty grey to black with white markings around eyes. Wings and back are dark grey with white markings on feathers. Rest of plumage white.

Range and habitat
Subspecies found from California to Mexico and from Maine to Florida. Species also occurs in the West Indies and Caribbean islands. Lives in coastal species, found on rocky islands, sandy beeches and saltmarshes.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is globally common with north-American populations increasing and colonizing new territories. Vulnerable to poisoning and pollution.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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