Franklin's gull is a small gull. The genus name Leucophaeus is from Ancient Greek leukos, "white", and phaios, "dusky". The specific pipixcan is a Nahuatl name for a type of gull. The English common name was given to commemorate the arctic explorer Sir John Franklin, who led an expedition in 1825 on which the type was collected.
Region
Americas
Typical Environment
Breeds in interior North America, especially the prairie pothole region of Canada and the northern United States, where it favors large marshes and shallow lakes with emergent vegetation. During migration it gathers in large flocks at inland wetlands, agricultural fields, and reservoirs. In winter it moves to coastal and inland wetlands of Central and South America, frequenting estuaries, beaches, and bays. It occasionally occurs along the southern U.S. coasts in winter and on passage.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Franklin's gull is named for the Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin. Unusual among gulls, it undergoes two complete molts each year. It often feeds on insects, sometimes hawking them in the air like a tern, and nests colonially on floating vegetation in prairie marshes.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
buoyant, agile flight with quick wingbeats and graceful glides
Social Behavior
Nests in dense colonies, often on floating mats of vegetation among cattails and reeds. Pairs are typically monogamous within a season and both sexes share incubation and chick rearing. Outside the breeding season it congregates in large, noisy flocks, often mixing with other gulls and terns.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Calls are high-pitched, laughing yelps and kek-kek notes, especially at colonies. It also gives short, sharp alarm calls and softer contact calls while foraging.
