Laughing Gull

Larus atricilla

Domain: eukarya

Kingdom: animalia

Phylum: chordata

Class: aves

Order: charadriiformes

Family: laridae

Genus: Larus

Species: atrillica

The Laughing Gull, also known as Larus atricilla is found nesting on barrier beaches and estuary islands in coastal areas from America across to Venezuela. This organism has bilateral symmetry.  The Laughing Gull has a black head, a red beak, grey wings, and a white belly.  The Laughing Gull uses it’s “laugh” noise to call other gulls when in danger, etc., which is a functional adaptation.  This organism is small and buoyant, allowing it to float on water for long periods of time for hunting purposes, this is a structural adaptation.  The white stomach makes the Laughing Gull, when flying seem like part of the sun, this is a behavioral adaptation.  Laughing Gull eat  shellfish, fish, shrimp, and insects.  Predators of this organism include sharks, some dogs, and foxes.  THis organism is heterotrophic and endothermic.