Arctic Tern vs Common Raven
Sterna paradisaea compared with Corvus corax
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Tern | Common Raven |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sterna paradisaea | Corvus corax |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Laridae | Corvidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 34.0 cm (13.4 in) | 63.0 cm (24.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 80.0 cm (31.5 in) | 130.0 cm (51.2 in) |
| Weight | 110.0 g (3.88 oz) | 1200.0 g (42.33 oz) |
| Diet | Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. | Omnivorous and opportunistic — carrion, small animals, insects, eggs, grain, fruit, and human refuse. Among … |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 1-8 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Arctic Tern 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.
Common Raven
Diverse habitats from Arctic tundra to deserts, mountains, forests, and coastlines. Avoids dense urban areas but thrives near human activity.
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.
Common Raven
Highly varied: deep resonant 'kraa-kraa-kraa', hollow 'tok-tok', liquid 'klonk', and wing-whooshing. Among the most intelligent corvid callers; uses calls contextually in groups.
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.
Common Raven
Holarctic distribution across North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The most widely distributed corvid.
Conservation Status
Arctic Tern
Common Raven
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
Common Raven
All black with a glossy purplish-blue iridescent sheen. Shaggy throat hackles, long wedge-shaped tail, and large robust build distinguish it from crows.
Large, powerful, curved black 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.
Common Raven
The common raven is among the most intelligent birds, demonstrating tool use, future planning, and social manipulation in scientific studies. In many cultures, ravens feature prominently in mythology as creators, tricksters, or messengers. Their complex vocalizations include over 30 distinct calls.