First found by Donna Pomeroy, I believe this is the 7th or 8th Laughing Gull record for San Mateo County. Similar to Franklin's Gull, Laughing Gull differs in its larger size, longer bill and having less white in its wing-tips. First cycle birds such as this differ in having a less contrasting face pattern, a more extensive dark tail band and more gray smudging on the sides of the breast. Laughing Gulls appears to be expanding from their core range on the East Coast with increasing numbers being found inland and vagrants turning up in coastal California and Hawaii. Subspecies "L. a. megalopterus" is recognized by Clements/eBird, HBW, IOC & HM4 but considered a junior synonym of nominate by BNA. Formerly included in the genus "Larus."
