[3][4] The English common name was given to commemorate the arctic explorer Sir John Franklin, who led an expedition in 1825 on which the type was collected.

Young birds are similar to the adult but have less developed hoods and lack the white wing band.

Measurements:[6] Although the bird is uncommon on the coasts of North America,[7] it occurs as a rare vagrant to northwest Europe, south and west Africa, Australia and Japan, with a single record from Eilat, Israel, in 2011 (Smith 2011), and a single record from Larnaca, Cyprus, July 2006.

The birds breed in colonies near prairie lakes with the nest constructed on the ground, or sometimes floating.

[9] This species has a wide distribution range and a large population which is currently increasing, and is therefore classified as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List.