Black Tern vs Aleutian Tern

Chlidonias niger compared with Onychoprion aleuticus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Black Tern Aleutian Tern
Scientific Name Chlidonias niger Onychoprion aleuticus
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Vulnerable
Length — —
Wingspan 40.3 cm (15.9 in) 52.4 cm (20.6 in)
Weight 73.15 g (2.58 oz) 104.88 g (3.70 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 1-4
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Black Tern only

None

Aleutian Tern only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Black Tern

Vulnerable

Aleutian Tern

About These Birds

Black Tern

Black Tern, 22–24 cm, breeds on freshwater marshes of North America and Eurasia. Breeding plumage: sooty black body, grey wings. Insectivore and piscivore; buoyant, dipping flight over wetlands. Migratory; winters off West African coasts and in tropical America. Declining in Europe.

Aleutian Tern

Aleutian Tern, 32–34 cm, breeds colonially in Alaska and Russian Far East, wintering in Southeast Asian waters — one of the most poorly tracked migrations among seabirds. Dark grey above, white below, black cap with white forehead. Piscivore; dives for small fish. Near Threatened.

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