Black-tailed Gull vs Royal Tern

Larus crassirostris compared with Thalasseus maximus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Black-tailed Gull Royal Tern
Scientific Name Larus crassirostris Thalasseus maximus
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 72.8 cm (28.7 in) 72.7 cm (28.6 in)
Weight 675.0 g (23.81 oz) 402.3333333333333 g (14.19 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 1-2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Black-tailed Gull only

None

Royal Tern only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Black-tailed Gull

Least Concern

Royal Tern

About These Birds

Black-tailed Gull

Black-tailed Gull, 44–48 cm, is common on East Asian coasts from Russia to China, Japan, and Korea. Grey mantle, white body, yellow bill with red spot and black subterminal band, yellow legs. Omnivore; very vocal, known as the 'cat gull' for its mewing calls. Migratory; winters south to Vietnam.

Royal Tern

Royal Tern, 45–50 cm, is a large, powerful tern of American and West African coasts. Orange bill, shaggy black crest (full only briefly in spring), pale grey mantle. Piscivore; plunge-dives from 10 m for mullet and menhaden. Nests in dense colonies; often seen loafing on beaches year-round.

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family