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Leucophaeus pipixcan

Wagler, 1831

Franklin's Gull

G5Secure Found in 223 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan). © Nick Park; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Nick Park; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan). © Derek Hudgins; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Derek Hudgins; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan). © Brad Imhoff; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Brad Imhoff; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan). © Ryan Sanderson; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Ryan Sanderson; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan). © Andrew Newmark; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Andrew Newmark; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan). © Birder sp.; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Birder sp.; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan). Photo by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Public Domain (U.S. Government Work), via ECOS.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, https://www.usa.gov/government-works
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.101670
Element CodeABNNM03020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAves
OrderCharadriiformes
FamilyLaridae
GenusLeucophaeus
Synonyms
Larus pipixcanWagler, 1831
Other Common Names
Gaivota-do-Frankin (PT) Gaviota de Franklin, Gaviota Chica (ES) Mouette de Franklin (FR)
Concept Reference
American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in The Auk]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
Taxonomic Comments
Formerly included in Larus but separated on the basis of genetic data (Pons et al., 2005) that indicate that the genus would be paraphyletic if the following species were included: L. modestus, L. atricilla and L. pipixcan (AOU, 2008).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-04-09
Change Date2016-04-09
Range Extent Comments
BREEDS: Canadian Prairie Provinces south to east-central Oregon, southern Idaho, northwestern Utah, northwestern Wyoming, northeastern South Dakota, and northwestern Iowa. Nonbreeders occur in summer from east-central British Columbia and northeastern Manitoba south to northern New Mexico, southeastern Wyoming, Kansas, central Iowa, and Great Lakes. NORTHERN WINTER: primarily along Pacific coast of South America (less commonly north to Guatemala), south to southern Chile, casually along Gulf coast of Texas and Louisiana, and in Hawaii, rarely in southern California; accidental in Puerto Rico.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Nonbreeding: seacoasts, bays, estuaries, lakes, rivers, marshes, ponds and irrigated fields (AOU 1983); mudflats. Nests in fresh-water marshes, shores of inland lakes, in areas of prairie and steppe. Nest is made of dead marsh plants; it is often a floating structure anchored to a living plant stem.

Reproduction

Breeding begins in early May or early June (Harrison 1978). Both sexes incubate 2-3 eggs for about 18-20 days. Semi-precocial young are tended by both adults. Nests in colonies, which may include up to 15,000-20,000 individuals (Terres 1980).
Terrestrial Habitats
Cropland/hedgerow
Palustrine Habitats
HERBACEOUS WETLANDRiparian
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN4B
ProvinceRankNative
MissouriSNAYes
PennsylvaniaSNAYes
UtahS2Yes
South DakotaS5BYes
NebraskaS4Yes
IndianaSNAYes
IllinoisSNAYes
MinnesotaS3BYes
FloridaSNAYes
OregonS2BYes
WisconsinSNAYes
OklahomaSNRNYes
MontanaS3BYes
KentuckySNAYes
WyomingS1BYes
CaliforniaSNAYes
ArkansasSNAYes
TexasS2NYes
LouisianaSNAYes
AlabamaS3NYes
Navajo NationS3MYes
IowaS4NYes
North CarolinaSNAYes
ColoradoS4NYes
MississippiSNAYes
OhioSNAYes
NevadaS3BYes
WashingtonSNAYes
New MexicoS3NYes
MichiganSNRNYes
IdahoS2BYes
North DakotaSNRBYes
KansasSNAYes
ArizonaS3MYes
CanadaN4B,NUN
ProvinceRankNative
LabradorSNAYes
AlbertaS4BYes
Island of NewfoundlandSNAYes
Northwest TerritoriesSUYes
SaskatchewanS4BYes
British ColumbiaSUNYes
OntarioS2MYes
QuebecSNAYes
ManitobaS4BYes
Roadless Areas (223)
Alaska (1)
AreaForestAcres
HyderTongass National Forest121,723
California (30)
AreaForestAcres
Coyote SoutheastInyo National Forest53,159
Coyote SoutheastInyo National Forest53,159
Crane Mtn.Modoc National Forest1,269
Crane Mtn.Modoc National Forest1,269
Devil's Gate (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,946
Devil's Gate (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,946
Dobie FlatModoc National Forest15,079
Dobie FlatModoc National Forest15,079
Horse Mdw.Inyo National Forest5,687
Horse Mdw.Inyo National Forest5,687
LavaLassen National Forest5,978
LavaLassen National Forest5,978
Log Cabin SaddlebagInyo National Forest15,165
Log Cabin SaddlebagInyo National Forest15,165
Long MeadowHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest11,967
Long MeadowHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest11,967
Mt. JacksonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest20,721
Mt. JacksonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest20,721
Mt. VidaModoc National Forest7,771
Mt. VidaModoc National Forest7,771
PaiuteInyo National Forest58,712
PaiuteInyo National Forest58,712
ParsnipModoc National Forest8,485
ParsnipModoc National Forest8,485
Timbered CraterLassen National Forest4,096
Timbered CraterLassen National Forest4,096
WattersonInyo National Forest6,922
WattersonInyo National Forest6,922
Wonoga Pk.Inyo National Forest11,272
Wonoga Pk.Inyo National Forest11,272
Idaho (14)
AreaForestAcres
Borah PeakSalmon-Challis National Forest130,463
Borah PeakSalmon-Challis National Forest130,463
PalisadesCaribou-Targhee National Forest122,002
PalisadesCaribou-Targhee National Forest122,002
Peace RockBoise National Forest191,734
Peace RockBoise National Forest191,734
Pioneer MountainsSawtooth National Forest119,563
Pioneer MountainsSalmon-Challis National Forest172,460
Pioneer MountainsSalmon-Challis National Forest172,460
Pioneer MountainsSawtooth National Forest119,563
SeceshPayette National Forest248,088
SeceshPayette National Forest248,088
West Meadow CreekNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest115,949
West Meadow CreekNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest115,949
Montana (41)
AreaForestAcres
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Big Horn MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest50,846
Big Horn MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest50,846
Big LogHelena National Forest8,954
Big LogHelena National Forest8,954
BridgerGallatin National Forest45,059
BridgerGallatin National Forest45,059
Cabin Creek Wildlife Management Area OcdGallatin National Forest35,048
Cabin Creek Wildlife Management Area OcdGallatin National Forest35,048
Devils TowerHelena National Forest7,144
Devils TowerHelena National Forest7,144
East PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest145,082
East PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest145,082
ElkhornHelena National Forest75,468
ElkhornHelena National Forest75,468
FleecerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest31,585
FleecerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest31,585
Freezeout MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest97,305
Freezeout MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest97,305
Freezeout MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest97,305
Gallatin FringeGallatin National Forest51,571
Gallatin FringeGallatin National Forest51,571
Hellgate GulchHelena National Forest16,821
Hellgate GulchHelena National Forest16,821
HolterHelena National Forest1,965
HolterHelena National Forest1,965
Hyalite - Porcupine - Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study AreaGallatin National Forest143,991
Hyalite - Porcupine - Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study AreaGallatin National Forest143,991
LionheadGallatin National Forest33,549
LionheadGallatin National Forest33,549
Mt. JeffersonBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest4,482
Mt. JeffersonBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest4,482
North AbsarokaGallatin National Forest159,075
North AbsarokaGallatin National Forest159,075
O'Neil CreekBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest6,279
O'Neil CreekBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest6,279
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Sheep MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest31,584
Sheep MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest31,584
Nevada (26)
AreaForestAcres
Bald Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest41,598
Bald Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest41,598
Pearl PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest71,405
Pearl PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest71,405
Pearl PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest71,405
Rose - Alum CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest853
Rose - Alum CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest853
Rose - Dutch LouieHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest363
Rose - Dutch LouieHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest363
Rose - EvansHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,782
Rose - EvansHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,782
Rose - Hunter EastHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest54
Rose - Hunter EastHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest54
Rose - Hunter Lk NoHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest149
Rose - Hunter Lk NoHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest149
Rose - NortheastHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest550
Rose - NortheastHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest550
Ruby - SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest13,195
Ruby - SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest13,195
Ruby - SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest13,195
Snake - Big WashHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,146
Snake - Big WashHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,146
Snake - HatcheryHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,627
Snake - HatcheryHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,627
Ward MountainHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,927
Ward MountainHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,927
New Mexico (1)
AreaForestAcres
Meadow CreekGila National Forest34,167
North Dakota (4)
AreaForestAcres
DurlerDakota Prairie Grasslands12,464
DurlerDakota Prairie Grasslands12,464
SheyenneDakota Prairie Grasslands14,537
SheyenneDakota Prairie Grasslands14,537
Oregon (12)
AreaForestAcres
Brattain ButteFremont National Forest5,959
Brattain ButteFremont National Forest5,959
Crane MountainFremont National Forest23,096
Crane MountainFremont National Forest23,096
Little SheepWallowa-Whitman National Forest5,238
Little SheepWallowa-Whitman National Forest5,238
MarshWinema National Forest1,226
MarshWinema National Forest1,226
Myrtle SilviesMalheur National Forest11,679
Myrtle SilviesMalheur National Forest11,679
Sky Lakes AWinema National Forest3,940
Sky Lakes AWinema National Forest3,940
Utah (50)
AreaForestAcres
418027Uinta National Forest13,884
418027Uinta National Forest13,884
418029Uinta National Forest15,673
418029Uinta National Forest15,673
Beehive PeakFishlake National Forest59,137
Beehive PeakFishlake National Forest59,137
Burch CreekWasatch-Cache National Forest6,938
Burch CreekWasatch-Cache National Forest6,938
Clarkston Mtn.Caribou National Forest7,099
Clarkston Mtn.Caribou National Forest7,099
CottonwoodDixie National Forest6,754
Cove MountainDixie National Forest16,632
Cove MountainDixie National Forest16,632
Flat CanyonFishlake National Forest8,663
Flat CanyonFishlake National Forest8,663
Kane MountainDixie National Forest8,013
Kane MountainDixie National Forest8,013
Lewis PeakWasatch-Cache National Forest11,616
Lewis PeakWasatch-Cache National Forest11,616
Lone Peak ContiguousWasatch-Cache National Forest874
Lone Peak ContiguousWasatch-Cache National Forest874
Middle FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest3,296
Middle FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest3,296
Mt. Logan NorthWasatch-Cache National Forest18,930
Mt. Logan NorthWasatch-Cache National Forest18,930
Mt. Logan SouthWasatch-Cache National Forest17,014
Mt. Logan SouthWasatch-Cache National Forest17,014
Mt. Logan WestWasatch-Cache National Forest5,285
Mt. Logan WestWasatch-Cache National Forest5,285
Mt. NaomiWasatch-Cache National Forest41,922
Mt. NaomiWasatch-Cache National Forest41,922
Mt. NaomiWasatch-Cache National Forest41,922
North FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest8,148
North FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest8,148
Rock Creek - Green ForkWasatch-Cache National Forest5,660
Rock Creek - Green ForkWasatch-Cache National Forest5,660
SanpitchManti-Lasal National Forest29,129
SanpitchManti-Lasal National Forest29,129
South FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest3,374
South FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest3,374
Stansbury MountainsWasatch-Cache National Forest39,696
Stansbury MountainsWasatch-Cache National Forest39,696
Stump CreekCaribou National Forest355
Stump CreekCaribou National Forest355
Stump CreekCaribou National Forest355
Swan Creek MountainWasatch-Cache National Forest9,390
Swan Creek MountainWasatch-Cache National Forest9,390
WellsvilleWasatch-Cache National Forest1,717
WellsvilleWasatch-Cache National Forest1,717
WellsvilleWasatch-Cache National Forest1,717
Wyoming (44)
AreaForestAcres
0401018Ashley National Forest6,157
0401018Ashley National Forest6,157
0401019Ashley National Forest6,202
0401019Ashley National Forest6,202
0401021Ashley National Forest5,152
0401021Ashley National Forest5,152
0401035Ashley National Forest5,465
0401035Ashley National Forest5,465
0401036Ashley National Forest6,309
0401036Ashley National Forest6,309
Cloud Peak ContiguousBighorn National Forest113,757
Cloud Peak ContiguousBighorn National Forest113,757
Grayback RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest295,113
Grayback RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest295,113
Gros Ventre MountainsBridger-Teton National Forest106,418
Gros Ventre MountainsBridger-Teton National Forest106,418
Lake Alice - Commissary RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest166,707
Lake Alice - Commissary RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest166,707
Leigh CreekBighorn National Forest19,180
Leigh CreekBighorn National Forest19,180
Monument RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest17,720
Monument RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest17,720
Munger MountainBridger-Teton National Forest12,827
Munger MountainBridger-Teton National Forest12,827
Pacific Creek - Blackrock CreekBridger-Teton National Forest24,658
Pacific Creek - Blackrock CreekBridger-Teton National Forest24,658
PalisadesTarghee National Forest1,121
PalisadesTarghee National Forest1,121
Phillips RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest10,108
Phillips RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest10,108
Riley RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest4,765
Riley RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest4,765
Salt River RangeBridger-Teton National Forest235,661
Salt River RangeBridger-Teton National Forest235,661
Salt River RangeBridger-Teton National Forest235,661
Sheep MountainMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest17,626
Sheep MountainMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest17,626
Sheep MountainMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest17,626
Teton Corridor TrailheadsBridger-Teton National Forest286
Teton Corridor TrailheadsBridger-Teton National Forest286
West Slope TetonsTarghee National Forest47,448
West Slope TetonsTarghee National Forest47,448
Wilderness Study AreaTarghee National Forest51,961
Wilderness Study AreaTarghee National Forest51,961
References (28)
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  2. American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in <i>The Auk</i>]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
  3. Baird, P. 1976. Comparative ecology of California and Ring-billed Gulls (<i>Larus californicus</i> and <i>L. delawarensis</i>.)Ph.D. dissertation, University of Montana, Missoula.
  4. Baird, P. A. 1977. Feeding ecology of ring-billed and California gulls (<i>Larus delawarensis</i> and <i>L. californicus</i>). Pacific Seabird Bulletin 4:16-17.
  5. Bent, A.C. 1921. Life histories of North American gulls and terns. U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. 113. Washington, D.C.
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  9. de Almeida, A. N. F. 2003. First documented record of Franklin's Gull (Larus pipixcan) in Brazil. Ararajuba 11:268-269.
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  24. Terres, J. K. 1980. The Audubon Society encyclopedia of North American birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
  25. The American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). Banks, R.C., R.T. Chesser, C. Cicero, J.L. Dunn, A.W. Kratter, I.J. Lovette, P.C. Rasmussen, J.V. Remsen, Jr., J.D. Rising, D.F. Stotz, and K. Winker. 2008. Forty-ninth supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. The Auk 125(3):758-768.
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  28. Zook, J. L. 2002. Distribution maps of the birds of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Unpublished.