General

Franklin's Gull: Medium-sized gull with gray back and white underparts. Head is black with white eye-ring; bill is orange with black spot near tip. Wings are relatively short with white-bordered or spotted black tips. Legs are red-orange. Sexes are similar. Winter adult has white head with streaked dark gray cap and dark bill; white underparts may be tinted pink. Legs and feet are dark red. Juvenile resembles winter adult but has brown wash on upperparts and nape, which gradually fades by 1st winter.

Range and Habitat

Franklin's Gull: Breeds on marshes, sloughs, and wetlands around lakes from southern Canada to South Dakota and Iowa; also in scattered marshes in the west. Migrates to southeast and winters mainly along west coast of South America.

Breeding and Nesting

Franklin's Gull: Three buff, olive or brown eggs with brown and black markings are laid on a floating platform built above the water and lined with fine grass and plant down. Incubation ranges from 18 to 25 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Franklin's Gull: Feeds mostly on insects in summer, also eats earthworms, crustaceans, mollusks, small fish, and seeds. Forages in agricultural fields and meadows for grasshoppers and cutworms; catches dragonflies, mayflies and other flying insects in mid-air.

Vocalization

Franklin's Gull: Emits a harsh "cuk-cuk-cuk", with occasional interjected screaming of "keeah-ah keeah-ah."

Similar Species

Franklin's Gull: Laughing Gull has grayer head, less prominent eye crescents, and solid black wing tips.