Arctic Tern vs White-fronted Tern
Sterna paradisaea compared with Sterna striata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Tern | White-fronted Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sterna paradisaea | Sterna striata |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | 34.0 cm (13.4 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 80.0 cm (31.5 in) | 54.8 cm (21.6 in) |
| Weight | 110.0 g (3.88 oz) | 131.5 g (4.64 oz) |
| Diet | Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 1-2 |
| 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.
White-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.
White-fronted Tern
Conservation Status
Arctic Tern
White-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
White-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.
White-fronted Tern
White-fronted Tern, 35–43 cm, is New Zealand's most common tern, breeding on coastal and riverine sites throughout the islands. White forehead contrasts with black cap; orange-red bill. Piscivore; hovers and plunge-dives in coastal waters and off river mouths. Winters on Australian coasts.