Franklin´s Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan)

This species is easy to identify. During summer, the body of an adult is white, while its back and wings are much darker grey than in any other gulls of similar size. Young specimens are similar to adults but lack the white band on the wing and their hoods are less developed. It takes them three years to reach maturity.

Habitat:

Prairies and inland swamps; in winter, coasts and sea. Nests in prairie swamps, where the habitat is wide and the water is quite deep. During the summer and migration, it forages on agricultural fields, meadows, flooded pastures, swamps and estuaries. In winter it lives along the coast, in sheltered bays and estuaries. It can be seen far from the coast or in inland lakes.

Diet:

Mostly insects and fish, earthworms, seeds, leeches, snails and crayfish.

Migratory bird with greater probability of sighting during the winter.

Location:

Mainly next to the beach and estuary.