In order to reconstruct a phylogenetic relationship and explore their phylogenetic status of four gulls, the complete mitochondrial ND2 gene sequences of Larus relictus, L.brunnicephalus, Sterna hirundo and Gelochlidon nilotica, were amplified and analyzed by comparing with other 44 gull species as the outgroups. The results showed that the entire mitochondrial ND2 gene sequences of four gulls were all 1 041 bp in length. The topologies of phylogenetic trees reconstructed based on ML, MP and Bayes methods were similar, suggesting that L.relictus belonged to the Black-headed species. L.brunnicephalus is more primitive and should be classified into the Masked species. Our results also suggest that S.hirundo should be clustered to Black cap species with G.nilotica as the sister, and the G.nilotica is more primitive and located in the root of tree. S.hirundo is most related to S.sumatrana and the branch: S.paradisaea, S.hirundinacea, S.vittata, showing a polyphyletic relationship. The specific status of S.hirundo is not clear. The relationship of Laridae, Sternidae, and Rynchopidae can not determined owning to the lack of samples.