Atlantic White Tern vs Black-naped Tern
Gygis alba compared with Sterna sumatrana
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Atlantic White Tern | Black-naped Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gygis alba | Sterna sumatrana |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 50.4 cm (19.8 in) | 43.1 cm (17.0 in) |
| Weight | 138.0 g (4.87 oz) | 103.75 g (3.66 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Atlantic White Tern
Least Concern
Black-naped 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.
Black-naped Tern
Black-naped Tern, 30–32 cm, breeds on tropical Indo-Pacific coral islands from the Maldives to Polynesia. White overall with a narrow black nape band connecting the black lores — a delicate, elegant pattern. Piscivore; surface-dips and shallow dives in clear tropical waters over reefs.