Arctic Tern vs Northern Cardinal
Sterna paradisaea مقارنةً بـ Cardinalis cardinalis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| السمة | Arctic Tern | Northern Cardinal |
|---|---|---|
| الاسم العلمي | Sterna paradisaea | Cardinalis cardinalis |
| الرتبة | Charadriiformes | Passeriformes |
| الفصيلة | Laridae | Cardinalidae |
| حالة الحفاظ | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| الطول | 34,0 cm (13.4 in) | 22,0 cm (8.7 in) |
| طول الجناح | 80,0 cm (31.5 in) | 30,0 cm (11.8 in) |
| الوزن | 110,0 g (3.88 oz) | 44,0 g (1.55 oz) |
| النظام الغذائي | Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. | Seeds, grains, fruits, and insects. Especially fond of sunflower seeds at bird feeders. Feeds mainly … |
| عدد البيض في الوضع | 2-3 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
الموائل المشتركة
بلا
Arctic Tern only
Northern Cardinal only
Arctic Tern
Breeds on coastal and tundra habitats. Spends most of its life at sea over the open ocean. Nests in colonies on beaches and rocky shores.
Northern Cardinal
Woodland edges, thickets, gardens, and suburban areas. Prefers dense shrubby habitats for nesting.
Song & Call Comparison
Arctic Tern
A sharp, grating 'kree-yah' alarm call. Also gives 'kik-kik-kik' near the nest. Highly aggressive vocally during the Arctic breeding season. Calls are harsh and insistent.
Northern Cardinal
Loud, clear whistled phrases: 'cheer-cheer-cheer' and 'birdy-birdy-birdy'. Both male and female sing; female song is softer. Alarm is a sharp metallic 'chink'.
Geographic Range & Migration
Arctic Tern
Breeds in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. Migrates to the Antarctic, experiencing two summers per year. Found on every ocean.
Northern Cardinal
Eastern and central North America from southern Canada to Mexico and Guatemala. Expanding range northward.
حالة الحفاظ
Arctic Tern
Northern Cardinal
How to Tell Them Apart
Arctic Tern
Pale grey upperparts, white underparts with a black cap. Blood-red bill and short red legs. Deeply forked tail streamers. Winter adults lose the full black cap.
Slender, pointed, bright red bill
Northern Cardinal
Males are brilliant crimson red overall with a black face mask. Females are warm buffy brown with reddish tinges on wings, crest, and tail.
Thick, conical, bright orange-red bill
About These Birds
Arctic Tern
The Arctic tern holds the record for the longest known migration of any animal, traveling roughly 70,000 km annually from Arctic to Antarctic and back. Over its 30-year lifespan, it may fly the equivalent of three round trips to the Moon. This remarkable bird experiences more daylight than any other creature on Earth.
Northern Cardinal
The northern cardinal is the state bird of seven US states, more than any other species. Unlike many songbirds, both males and females sing, often in duets. Cardinals do not migrate and their brilliant red plumage against winter snow makes them a favorite among backyard birdwatchers.