Atlantic White Tern vs White-cheeked Tern
Gygis alba compared with Sterna repressa
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Atlantic White Tern | White-cheeked Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gygis alba | Sterna repressa |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 50.4 cm (19.8 in) | 48.3 cm (19.0 in) |
| Weight | 138.0 g (4.87 oz) | 118.75 g (4.19 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Atlantic White Tern
Least Concern
White-cheeked Tern
About These Birds
Atlantic White Tern
Atlantic White Tern: 28–33 cm, wingspan 76–87 cm, ethereally white seabird with blue-grey bill, blue orbital ring, and large dark eyes. Breeds on tropical Atlantic islands including Ascension and Saint Helena; related species widespread across the Indo-Pacific. Nests on bare branches with no nest material. Feeds on small fish near the surface.
White-cheeked Tern
White-cheeked Tern, 32–34 cm, breeds around the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean coasts from East Africa to Pakistan. Grey above and below in breeding plumage, white cheek patch below the black cap. Piscivore; plunge-dives in coastal waters. Some movement to winter quarters in East African coasts.