Arctic Tern vs White-eyed Gull
Sterna paradisaea compared with Larus leucophthalmus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Tern | White-eyed Gull |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sterna paradisaea | Larus leucophthalmus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 34.0 cm (13.4 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 80.0 cm (31.5 in) | 64.4 cm (25.4 in) |
| Weight | 110.0 g (3.88 oz) | 343.3333333333333 g (12.11 oz) |
| Diet | Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 1-3 |
| 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.
White-eyed Gull
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.
White-eyed Gull
Conservation Status
Arctic Tern
White-eyed Gull
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
White-eyed Gull
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.
White-eyed Gull
White-eyed Gull, 39–43 cm, is restricted to the Red Sea and adjacent Aden Gulf. Slender black bill, black hood, yellow-green eye-ring. Piscivore; forages in rocky coastal waters and at fishing harbours. Small range concentrated in politically sensitive areas; Near Threatened. Resident year-round.