White-winged Tern vs Mediterranean Gull
Chlidonias leucopterus compared with Larus melanocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | White-winged Tern | Mediterranean Gull |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chlidonias leucopterus | Larus melanocephalus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 41.6 cm (16.4 in) | 60.5 cm (23.8 in) |
| Weight | 60.5 g (2.13 oz) | 282.5 g (9.96 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
White-winged Tern only
Mediterranean Gull only
Conservation Status
Least Concern
White-winged Tern
Least Concern
Mediterranean Gull
About These Birds
White-winged Tern
White-winged Tern, 20–23 cm, breeds in wetlands from Eastern Europe to Central Asia and winters in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Australia. Breeding male: jet-black body contrasting with white wings. Insectivore; dips over marshes and rice paddies. Long-distance migrant.
Mediterranean Gull
Mediterranean Gull, 36–38 cm, has expanded dramatically since the 1970s, breeding across Europe from the Black Sea to Britain. Pure white body, jet-black hood in breeding plumage — the only gull with entirely white wingtips. Piscivore and invertivore; nests in colonies, often with Black-headed Gulls.