laughing gull

American  

noun

1. a North American gull, Larus atricilla, having a high, laughlike call.

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Etymology

Origin of laughing gull

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90

Example Sentences

During the clean-up efforts, crews recovered three dead, oiled birds from around Swan Lake: two brown pelicans and a laughing gull.

From Seattle Times • May 20, 2024

Potential bird sightings include gadwalls and buffleheads, dazzling ducks like the common goldeneye and the red-breasted merganser and tons of gulls, including the laughing gull and the ring-billed gull.

From New York Times • Jun. 6, 2023

Outside the Climate Museum in Nolan Park — an elm-dotted lawn encircled by 19th-century houses — the Butoh-trained Hastings channels the laughing gull, a local seagull with a cackling call.

From New York Times • Oct. 10, 2021

Far away was heard the lonely cry of a laughing gull.

From Lippincott's Magazine, October 1885 by Various