Brown-headed Gull vs Fairy Tern
Larus brunnicephalus compared with Sternula nereis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Brown-headed Gull | Fairy Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus brunnicephalus | Sternula nereis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.8 cm (26.3 in) | 35.6 cm (14.0 in) |
| Weight | 584.0 g (20.60 oz) | 68.5 g (2.42 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-4 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Brown-headed Gull
Vulnerable
Fairy Tern
About These Birds
Brown-headed Gull
Brown-headed Gull, 41–46 cm, breeds at high-altitude Tibetan lakes and Central Asian wetlands, wintering on coasts from India to Southeast Asia. Brown hood in breeding plumage; white wing mirrors. Piscivore and invertivore; follows fishing activity in coastal bays.
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.