Heermann's Gull vs Sooty Tern
Larus heermanni compared with Onychoprion fuscatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Heermann's Gull | Sooty Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus heermanni | Onychoprion fuscatus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 67.2 cm (26.5 in) | 56.1 cm (22.1 in) |
| Weight | 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz) | 183.0 g (6.46 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Heermann's Gull
Least Concern
Sooty Tern
About These Birds
Heermann's Gull
Heermann's Gull, 46–51 cm, is distinctive — dark grey body, white head (breeding), red bill. Breeds almost entirely on Isla Rasa in the Gulf of California, then disperses north along the Pacific coast to British Columbia. Kleptoparasite; steals fish from Brown Pelicans. Near Threatened; range highly restricted.
Sooty Tern
Sooty Tern is a highly pelagic tern, 33–36 cm, wingspan 82–94 cm, breeding pantropically on oceanic islands. Jet-black above, white below, with a white forehead patch. Among the most aerial of birds; rarely lands on water. Piscivore; snaps fish and squid at the surface during mass prey events.