Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla), Willcox Twin Lakes, Cochise County

This Laughing Gull was discovered by John Higgins and photographed by Christie Van Cleve on 15 May 2012.

Only about 20 previous records.

This bird is in worn late first cycle plumage and can easily be confused with a worn first cycle Franklin's Gull that can lack the white in the wing tips as well.  Key points on this bird are the poorly defined grayish hood (crisper black half-hood in Franklin's), gray hindneck and sides of breast (white in Franklin's) and the long drooping bill (shorter with less droop in Franklin's).  Note also in the third photo you can see the mottled underwing pattern.  Franklin's has white underwings. 

15 May 2012, photo by Christie Van Cleve

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer