Arctic Tern vs Black-fronted Tern
Sterna paradisaea compared with Chlidonias albostriatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Tern | Black-fronted Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sterna paradisaea | Chlidonias albostriatus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | 34.0 cm (13.4 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 80.0 cm (31.5 in) | 47.9 cm (18.9 in) |
| Weight | 110.0 g (3.88 oz) | 93.0 g (3.28 oz) |
| Diet | Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
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.
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.
Black-fronted Tern
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.
Black-fronted Tern
Conservation Status
Arctic Tern
Black-fronted Tern
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
Black-fronted Tern
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.
Black-fronted Tern
Black-fronted Tern, 27–30 cm, is Endemic and Near Threatened, breeding on South Island New Zealand river shingle beds. Orange bill, blue-grey body, black cap; juveniles brownish. Piscivore and insectivore; hovers and dips over braided rivers. Winters on nearby North Island and Australian coasts.