Swallow-tailed Gull vs Aleutian Tern

Creagrus furcatus compared with Onychoprion aleuticus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Swallow-tailed Gull Aleutian Tern
Scientific Name Creagrus furcatus Onychoprion aleuticus
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Vulnerable
Length — —
Wingspan 81.8 cm (32.2 in) 52.4 cm (20.6 in)
Weight 695.0 g (24.52 oz) 104.88 g (3.70 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 1-4
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Swallow-tailed Gull only

None

Aleutian Tern only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Swallow-tailed Gull

Vulnerable

Aleutian Tern

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.

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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