Species › Birds › Franklin's Gull

Franklin's Gull

Leucophaeus pipixcan

RareBird
Illustration of Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan)

Franklin's Gull is a small, elegant gull with a striking black head during the breeding season. It is known for its acrobatic flight and is often seen in large flocks.

Habitat
Wetlands and coastal areas.
Diet
Insects, small fish, and crustaceans.
How common
Rare

Not certain it is a Franklin's Gull? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Franklin's Gull sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Franklin's Gull?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More birds

Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna bicolor
Gadwall
Gadwall
Mareca strepera
Gambel's Quail
Gambel's Quail
Callipepla gambelii
Garganey
Garganey
Spatula querquedula
Gartered Violaceous Trogon
Gartered Violaceous Trogon
Trogon caligatus
Gila Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker
Melanerpes uropygialis
Gilded Flicker
Gilded Flicker
Colaptes chrysoides
Glaucous Gull
Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreus