Franklin's Gulls

One of the quiet highlights of fall migration is picking Franklin's Gulls out of Laughing Gull flocks. Franklin's Gulls are small gulls that nest on the North American prairies and spend their winters in South America. Their migration path takes most Franklin's through Texas, but a small percentage of the species often meanders a bit off course, which accounts for the individuals we see in Louisiana. Usually, one or two Franklin's can be found in a day of coastal birding from October through late November or early December. Sometimes, hundreds can be encountered.

Franklin's Gulls can be picked out from Laughing Gulls by their smaller size, by the darker, more complete traces of the black hood of summer, and by their smaller, more delicate bills. There are also difference in wing and tail pattern that aren't visible in this video clip.

This bird was on Holly Beach in late November.