Mediterranean Gull vs Franklin's Gull

Larus melanocephalus compared with Larus pipixcan

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Mediterranean Gull Franklin's Gull
Scientific Name Larus melanocephalus Larus pipixcan
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 60.5 cm (23.8 in) 55.9 cm (22.0 in)
Weight 282.5 g (9.96 oz) 279.8333333333333 g (9.87 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1-5 1-3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Mediterranean Gull only

None

Franklin's Gull only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mediterranean Gull

Least Concern

Franklin's Gull

About These Birds

Mediterranean Gull

Mediterranean Gull, 36–38 cm, has expanded dramatically since the 1970s, breeding across Europe from the Black Sea to Britain. Pure white body, jet-black hood in breeding plumage — the only gull with entirely white wingtips. Piscivore and invertivore; nests in colonies, often with Black-headed Gulls.

Franklin's Gull

Franklin's Gull, 32–36 cm, makes one of the longest overland migrations of any gull, breeding on prairie marshes of North America and wintering on Pacific coasts of South America — a journey of 12,000+ km. Rosy-flushed underparts in spring; black hood with distinctive white eye-crescents. Insectivore.

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