Laughing Gulls

[ann shiller]

I think these are Laughing Gulls in winter plummage. Probably the red on the beaks and mouth give a positive ID?

I observed these two gulls on the Florida Gulf Coast (Ft. Desoto) Sept. 17 2010. They were bowing and drooping their wings, then throwing thier heads up and calling. They seemed to take turns. One would lower its head and appear submissive while the other would ignore or tower over calling.

What type of behavior if not mating? Also thought they did this earlier in the year.

I'm new to birding and the gulls in particular give me fits.

[John Chardine]

Hi Ann- Laughing Gulls for sure. Notice the dark backs as well, and you are right about the red in the bill. I imagine these birds were courting, which does happen in the fall in a small resurgence of hormonal activity. This is also evidenced by very late singing of male songbirds. The other thing to mention about Laughing Gulls is that they have a wide distribution into the tropics and there, many places have an entirely different breeding season to the temperate north.

[ann shiller]

Thanks John...They were fun to watch.