Sounds

Colonies generally noisy, but less so than those of Franklin’s Gull; noise level depends on stage of cycle, density, and disturbance; can often be heard 2–3 km away across water.

Vocalizations of Laughing Gull described by Noble and Wurm 1943, Moynihan 1956, 1958a, 1958b, 1959, and Beer 1970a, 1970b . Both ground and aerial displays are accompanied by vocalizations. Species is very vocal, including wintering groups in Florida where individuals give long and elaborate flight calls in late winter prior to migration.

Development

While hatching, chicks utter low 1- or 2-note cheep call, particularly when working on eggshell with egg tooth. After hatching, call becomes louder, longer, and evolves with age into a distinct contact call. Chicks give a softer cheep call directed at siblings, or at parents when pecking at their bill to stimulate feeding; develops into a loud begging call by 3–4 d of age, which intensifies as chicks age. Begging call accompanied by vigorous head-pumping and jumping up and down by 8–10 d of age.

Recognition of parental calls begins to develop by 3 d of age; well developed by 6–8 d (Beer 1969, 1970a, b). Parental recognition develops at time when chicks become mobile and can move from nest. During this time, parents appear to recognize their chicks more by behavior than by call (Beer 1979). See Breeding: young birds, below, for more details.

Vocal Array

Most important or common calls follow. Species very vocal outside breeding season.

Alarm Call. A loud series of staccato kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk or kek-kek-kek repeated over and over; can be given from the nest, from the ground, or while flying. Usually given to any disturbance such as a conspecific intruder, predator, or human. May be given by individual gull responding to nearby predator or conspecific, or by groups of gulls. Often joined by others nesting nearby, who take to the air to hover over intruder. Alarm Call often accompanies mobbing. Also gives repeated kow when less alarmed.

Flight Call. U-ah U-ah U-ah U-ah given frequently during flight activity over colonies.

Head-toss Note. Series of short, soft Koa notes given while raising bill upward, may nearly touch back (Fig. 4A).

Long Call. Figure 4B . Typical gull Long Call, beginning with a series of high-pitched long notes (keeaaaahhhh) or ke-hah given when head is extended upward and outward; followed by series of shorter notes (keaah or kah) as the head is lowered below the horizontal; and ending with a series of short Head-toss notes. The long and intermediate notes always given, Head-toss notes usually given. Sometimes Long Call proceeded by Head-toss notes. Number of elements varies within and among individuals (Beer 1970a, b).

Swoop-and-Soar Call. Similar to end of Long Call, given in flight (Fig. 4C; Beer 1970a, b).

Landing Call. A series of notes similar to Long Calls, but usually softer and shorter in duration. Occurs whenever a bird lands on its display or nest platform, or near nest in dry land colonies. In salt-marsh colonies, Landing Call usually given only when landing on nest, as it is difficult to land in cord grass (Spartina alterniflora).

Gakkering. Occurs when adults or older chicks are defending their nests from neighbors or predators; a series of loud, undulating kakakaka-kakakakakaka calls strung together and sometimes repeated for several minutes without stopping. Head is extended and lowered, head feathers erect, and bill pointed at intruder. Head also moves up and down with the call, giving it an undulating or wavelike quality. Bird may sit or stand; as intensity increases, bird always stands and leans toward intruder; may move to edge of nest for high-intensity Gakkering.

Mew Call or Crooning. Given in courtship and pair-bond maintenance, nest exchanges, or chick feeding. A series of low, long-drawn out meeeooooh, meoow, or keow notes. Very soft call, often not heard a few meters from nest. Soft Mew Calls given to very young chicks to stimulate feeding, accompanied by pecking gently at chick’s bill.

Charge Call. A loud keeeooooh repeated 2 or more times and during rapid movement toward intruders; given on the ground or in air.

Choking Call. A soft woooof-woof-wooof given during Choking Display (see Behavior: agonistic behavior, below), usually between mates during the nest-site selection phase. Birds bow toward ground, moving body up and down with bill pointed downward, with quick, jerky movements as if trying to regurgitate.

Copulation Call. A loud, harsh, staccato call given during copulation when the male has mounted the female, accompanied by Wing-flagging (see Behavior: sexual behavior, below).

Others. During aerial displays, such as Swoop-and-Soar Display (see Behavior: agonistic behavior, below), gives a version of the Long Call that is longer and has only the long notes; this call given during rapid downward swooping movement toward a predator, conspecific intruder, or human.

No information.