Arctic Tern vs Antarctic Tern
Sterna paradisaea compared with Sterna vittata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Tern | Antarctic Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sterna paradisaea | Sterna vittata |
| 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) | 52.0 cm (20.5 in) |
| Weight | 110.0 g (3.88 oz) | 151.0 g (5.33 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.
Antarctic 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.
Antarctic Tern
Conservation Status
Arctic Tern
Antarctic 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
Antarctic 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.
Antarctic Tern
Antarctic Tern, 31–38 cm, breeds on sub-Antarctic islands and Antarctic Peninsula, dispersing across the Southern Ocean in austral winter. Grey above, white below, with red bill and feet. Unlike Arctic Tern, does not undertake pole-to-pole migration; remains in high southern latitudes year-round.