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Bird Gallery

Franklin's Gull

Franklin's Gull (first winter plumage)
Franklin's Gull (first winter plumage)

© David McDonald

Leucophaeus pipixcan

Family: (Laridae) Gulls, Terns and Allies

Preferred Habitat: Coastal, rivers, and lakes.

Seasonal Occurrence: Uncommon spring and fall

Notes: Franklin's Gull is never very common in our area, although occasionally large flocks of Franklin's Gulls are seen in migration. It breeds in northern prairies and winters on the west coast of South America. In breeding plumage it looks quite similar to the Laughing Gull, but is smaller and has a proportionately smaller bill. In the nineteenth century it was first named "Franklin's Rosy Gull" for its slightly rose-colored breast and belly. The amount of pink color is highly variable and often absent. It was nicknamed "Prairie Dove" in the nineteenth century.
 

Franklin's Gull (breeding plumage)
Franklin's Gull (breeding plumage)

© Greg Lavaty

Franklin's Gull (adult nonbreeding plumage)
Franklin's Gull (adult nonbreeding plumage)

© David McDonald

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