Heermann's Gull vs Little Tern

Larus heermanni compared with Sternula albifrons

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Heermann's Gull Little Tern
Scientific Name Larus heermanni Sternula albifrons
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Near Threatened Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 67.2 cm (26.5 in) 33.9 cm (13.3 in)
Weight 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz) 55.0 g (1.94 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1-2 1-4
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Heermann's Gull only

None

Little Tern only

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Heermann's Gull

Least Concern

Little 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.

Little Tern

Little Tern is one of the world's smallest terns, 21–25 cm, breeding along coastlines and rivers across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. White below, grey above, with a yellow bill tipped black and a white forehead patch. Hovers and plunge-dives for small fish. Migratory; winters in tropical coasts.

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