Arctic Tern vs Black-headed Gull
Sterna paradisaea compared with Larus ridibundus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Tern | Black-headed Gull |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sterna paradisaea | Larus ridibundus |
| 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) | 58.2 cm (22.9 in) |
| Weight | 110.0 g (3.88 oz) | 261.0 g (9.21 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.
Black-headed 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.
Black-headed Gull
Conservation Status
Arctic Tern
Black-headed 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
Black-headed 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.
Black-headed Gull
Black-headed Gull, 38–44 cm, is one of Europe's commonest gulls, breeding across the Palearctic on wetlands and coasts. Chocolate-brown (not black) hood in summer, lost in winter leaving dark ear-spot. Omnivore; follows ploughs, scavenges in cities, dips for invertebrates. Migratory.