Atlantic White Tern vs Fairy Tern
Gygis alba compared with Sternula nereis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Atlantic White Tern | Fairy Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gygis alba | Sternula nereis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 50.4 cm (19.8 in) | 35.6 cm (14.0 in) |
| Weight | 138.0 g (4.87 oz) | 68.5 g (2.42 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Atlantic White Tern
Vulnerable
Fairy 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.
Fairy Tern
Fairy Tern, 22–25 cm, breeds in southern Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia on sandy beaches. White and pale grey with an orange-yellow bill; delicate and buoyant in flight. Piscivore; hovers and plunge-dives in shallow coastal and estuarine waters. Vulnerable due to beach disturbance.