Heermann's Gull vs White-cheeked Tern
Larus heermanni compared with Sterna repressa
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Heermann's Gull | White-cheeked Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus heermanni | Sterna repressa |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 67.2 cm (26.5 in) | 48.3 cm (19.0 in) |
| Weight | 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz) | 118.75 g (4.19 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Heermann's Gull
Least Concern
White-cheeked 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.
White-cheeked Tern
White-cheeked Tern, 32–34 cm, breeds around the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean coasts from East Africa to Pakistan. Grey above and below in breeding plumage, white cheek patch below the black cap. Piscivore; plunge-dives in coastal waters. Some movement to winter quarters in East African coasts.