Laridae
| Laridae | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| European herring gull | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder: | Lari |
| Family: |
Laridae Rafinesque, 1815 |
| Genera | |
|
See text. |
|
See text.
Laridae is a family of seabirds in the order Charadriiformes that includes the gulls, terns and skimmers. It includes around 100 species arranged into 23 genera. They are an adaptable group of mostly aerial birds found worldwide.
The family Laridae was introduced (as Laridia) by the French polymath Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1815. Historically Laridae were restricted to the gulls while the terns were placed in a separate family Sternidae and the skimmers in a third family Rynchopidae. The noddies were traditionally included in Sternidae. Sibley and Ahlquist included Auks and Skuas in a broader family Laridae.
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