Franklin's Gull Photo Gallery
Breeding adult
Smallish gull with a black head, a red bill, and white eye crescents. Note white spots on the tips of the primaries.
© Joe Bailey / Macaulay LibraryIndiana, April 21, 2017First winter with Laughing Gulls
Compared to the Laughing Gulls around it, note the Franklin's smaller size, smaller bill, and more black around the eye and over the crown.
© Tom Johnson / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 13, 2014Not all videos have soundFirst winter
First-winter birds have a partial grayish black hood and thick white eye crescents. The gray on the back contrasts with brownish upperwings and dark primaries. Note rather slender bill.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryGuanacaste, November 11, 2008Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding adults have a partial black hood and thick white eye crescents. The wingtips show limited black. Note slender bill and clean white collar.
© Chris Wood / Macaulay LibraryIca, November 13, 2017Breeding adult
Black-hooded gull with white eye crescents and a limited amount of black on the wingtips.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 15, 2011First winter
First-winter birds have a black tail band, but it doesn't extend across the entire tail. The primaries are mostly dark while the upperwings are brownish gray. Note smudgy grayish hood.
© Ryan Sanderson / Macaulay LibraryIndiana, October 17, 2020Breeding adult
Breeds in colonies in prairie wetlands. Fairly small gull with a slender bill. Note black head, white eye crescents, and limited black on wingtips.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibrarySouth Dakota, July 07, 2009Flock
Often forages in dense flocks.
© David Lambeth / Macaulay LibraryNorth Dakota, October 05, 2016Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Laridae)
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