Franklin's Gull

Unlike most gulls, the Franklin's Gull is not found near the coast during the breeding season, but nests primarily in small to very large colonies in the marshes of the Great Plains of North America.  This small "black-hooded" gull is the gull most likely to be seen following plows, eating exposed worms, insects, and mice.  During the non-breeding season, it travels south of the Equator to protected bays and estuaries along the west coast of South America.  Franklin's Gull is an irregular and rare visitor to Tennessee, possibly seen from March through early May or from mid-September through December.

This small gull is dark-gray above and white below, with gray wings that have a white trailing edge and a small black-and-white tip.  During the breeding season (April-August), the head is entirely black with a broad white broken eye-ring and a mostly orange bill; in the non-breeding season (August-March), only the back half of the head is black or blackish.

Juvenile (August-September) is brown above with a half-black head. Franklin's Gulls reach full adult plumage in their third year.  

Length: 14.5"
Wingspan: 36"
Weight: 10 oz.

Voice: Call nasal and laughing, but less penetrating than Laughing Gull.

Similar Species: Bonaparte's Gull is a regular, fairly common migrant and uncommon winter resident in Tennessee. During the non-breeding season, it has a dark spot behind the eye, and less dark and more white in the wing. Laughing Gull is a rare and irregular migrant in Tennessee. During the non-breeding season, it shows a grayer and smaller patch on the back of the head, white only on the trailing edge of the wing, and a larger black wingtip. Ringed-billed Gull is the most regular, common migrant, and winter resident in the state. It is larger, has brown, not gray, on the head in the non-breeding season, a yellow bill with a black tip or band, and a white spot on the wingtip.

Habitat: In Tennessee, it may be found on lakes and rivers across the state.

Diet: Mostly aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates

Nesting and reproduction: The Franklin's Gull has never been known to nest in Tennessee.

Status in Tennessee: The Franklin's Gull is an irregular, rare migrant, more often observed in the west and middle than in the eastern part of the state.

Best places to see in Tennessee: Franklin's Gull is always rare but might be seen on lakes and rivers across the state. It has been found more often in West and Middle Tennessee than in the eastern part of the state.