Head to head
Franklin's Gull vs Laughing Gull
Franklin's gull and the laughing gull are closely related, similarly hooded gulls, but they have settled into very different corners of the Americas.
| Franklin's Gull | Laughing Gull | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Leucophaeus pipixcan | Leucophaeus atricilla |
| Typical habitat | Inland prairie wetlands | Coastal beaches |
| Notable trait | Follows farm ploughs | Distinctive laughing call |
| Migration | Interior US to Pacific South America | Along Atlantic and Gulf coasts |
| Nickname | Prairie dove | None widely used |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Wetlands, grassland | Coastal |
Franklin's Gull vs Laughing Gull: common questions
Which gull is more coastal, Franklin's gull or the laughing gull?
The laughing gull is far more coastal, sticking closely to beaches and boardwalks along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, while Franklin's gull breeds well inland on prairie wetlands across the North American interior.
Are Franklin's gull and the laughing gull closely related?
Yes, both species belong to the same genus, Leucophaeus, and share a black breeding hood and similar overall build, despite Franklin's gull's unusual inland prairie lifestyle setting it apart from the laughing gull's firmly coastal habits.
How can you tell Franklin's gull from a laughing gull by behaviour?
Franklin's gull is notable for following farm ploughs to catch exposed insects, a habit not shared by the laughing gull, which is instead best known for its distinctive, cackling call that sounds remarkably like human laughter.