Franklin’s Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan)

Order: Charadriiformes | Family: Laridae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

franklin_gull
Age: Adult, basic | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Lima, Peru

franklin_gull
Age: Adult, basic | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Lima, Peru

franklin_gull
Age: Juvenile/Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Lima, Peru

franklin_gull
Age: Adult, basic | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Lima, Peru


Identification & Behavior: ~37 cm (14.5 in). The Franklin’s Gull in basic plumage is white below and gray above. It has a white forehead and throat and blackish rest of the head. The bill and legs are black or reddish. Birds in alternate plumage have a black head with a red bill and reddish legs. The juvenile has mottled dusky-brown back and head, and a black band on the tail. It is similar to the Laughing Gull, but it is distinguished by a shorter and thinner bill, and by having gray and black wings.

Status: The Franklin’s Gull is an abundant Boreal migrant during the months of October through May. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, Bo, Ch.

Name in Spanish: Gaviota de Franklin.

Sub-species: Franklin’s Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan), Wagler 1831.

Meaning of Name: Chroicocephalus: Gr. khroizö= color and kephalos, kephale= his head. pipixcan:“pipixcan” was the name given to a Seagull by Mexican Indians, according to (Hernandez 1651).

See more of the Family laridae   peru aves

Distribution Map
franklin gullVoice


References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 01/01/2015.