B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
---|---|---|---|---|
16.5" 42cm | 40" 102cm | 11 oz 312g | Laridae | Leucophaeus atricilla |
The Laughing Gull is the largest member of the black-headed gulls seen in North America. This gull lives on the southeastern and southwestern coasts of the North American continent. It is very similar to the Franklin's Gull, which is seen in the mid-western prairies. For proper identification, close attention is needed in examining the individual's primary flight feathers, to distinguish between the two gull species.
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.