Swallow-tailed Gull vs Mediterranean Gull
Creagrus furcatus compared with Larus melanocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Swallow-tailed Gull | Mediterranean Gull |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Creagrus furcatus | Larus melanocephalus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 81.8 cm (32.2 in) | 60.5 cm (23.8 in) |
| Weight | 695.0 g (24.52 oz) | 282.5 g (9.96 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Swallow-tailed Gull only
None
Mediterranean Gull only
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Swallow-tailed Gull
Least Concern
Mediterranean Gull
About These Birds
Swallow-tailed Gull
Swallow-tailed Gull, 55–60 cm, is the world's only fully nocturnal gull, breeding on the Galápagos Islands and roosting on the Humboldt Current. Distinctive red orbital ring, black-and-white head, deeply forked tail. Feeds at sea at night on squid and fish attracted to surface by bioluminescence.
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.