The family Laridae encompasses gulls, terns, and skimmers, with gulls being some of the most recognized members. Gulls are medium to large Charadriiformes noted for their robust bodies, long wings, and webbed feet, which make them excellent swimmers and efficient predators or scavengers. They display a classic seabird pattern: shades of gray and white, sometimes with striking black markings on the head or wings. Known for their intelligence, they use tools, mimic sounds, and have complex social behaviors.
Laridae includes gulls, terns, and skimmers; gulls are the most familiar.
Typical gull plumage: combinations of gray, white, and black.
Gulls are highly adaptable, thriving in marine, freshwater, and urban habitats.
They show advanced behaviors such as tool use and vocal mimicry.
*Laridae* includes gulls, terns, and skimmers.
Gulls are noted for their tool use, vocal mimicry, and complex social interactions.
Gulls are distinguished by their webbed feet and opportunistic, often scavenging, feeding habits.
Classic Gulls
Classic gulls include species like the Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull, and Great Black-backed Gull.
Classic gulls typically belong to the genus Larus and feature durable, all-purpose bills, often with a red spot on the lower mandible used in chick-parent communication. They are mainly white with varying amounts of gray and black, making them easily identifiable across different regions.
Belong mostly to the genus Larus.
Have all-purpose bills with a distinctive red spot.
Are highly successful colonizers of both natural and urban environments.
Most classic gulls are placed in the genus *Larus*.
Classic gulls thrive in coastal shores, inland lakes, and even urban areas.
The red spot on a classic gull's bill stimulates chick feeding.
The Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) is recognized for its distinctive black head during breeding season and its raucous, laughter-like calls. It migrates along the Atlantic coast of the Americas and is often found in saltwater marshes, beaches, and estuaries.
Genus: Leucophaeus
Breeding plumage: black head
Noted for distinctive “laughing” calls
Habitat: coastal marshes, beaches, estuaries
The Laughing Gull sports a black head in breeding plumage.
They frequent saltwater marshes, beaches, and estuaries.
The Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) breeds in Europe and Asia, sporting a chocolate-brown head (not true black) in the breeding season. It is smaller than many typical Larus gulls and often exhibits playful, aerobatic flight displays.
Genus: Chroicocephalus
Breeding season: chocolate-brown head
Range: Europe and Asia
Noted for agile and playful flight
Its head is chocolate brown, not true black.
It breeds mainly in Europe and Asia.
Summary
Gulls in the family Laridae are adaptable, intelligent seabirds with characteristic gray, white, and black plumage. Classic gulls belong to Larus, while genera like Leucophaeus and Chroicocephalus include species such as the Laughing Gull and Black-headed Gull, distinguished by unique head markings and behaviors.
Laridae includes gulls, terns, and skimmers; gulls show classic gray/white/black plumage.
Classic gulls are mostly Larus, with red-spotted bills and great adaptability.
Laughing Gulls and Black-headed Gulls have distinctive breeding plumages and belong to separate genera.
Gulls are included in genera such as *Larus*, *Leucophaeus*, and *Chroicocephalus*.
Gulls are typically found in coastal and urban areas.
Common classic gulls include Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull, and Great Black-backed Gull.
