Arctic Tern vs Vega Gull
Sterna paradisaea compared with Larus vegae
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Tern | Vega Gull |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sterna paradisaea | Larus vegae |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
| Length | 34.0 cm (13.4 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 80.0 cm (31.5 in) | — |
| Weight | 110.0 g (3.88 oz) | 1231.75 g (43.45 oz) |
| Diet | Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | -- |
| 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.
Vega 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.
Vega Gull
Conservation Status
Arctic Tern
Vega 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
Vega 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.
Vega Gull
Vega Gull, 55–68 cm, breeds in Siberia and winters on Pacific coasts from Japan to China. Formerly considered a subspecies of Herring Gull; slightly darker grey mantle, pink-fleshed orbital ring. Omnivore; scavenges at ports and forages along rocky coasts. Migratory; common in East Asian harbours in winter.