Heermann's Gull vs Saunders's Tern
Larus heermanni compared with Sternula saundersi
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Heermann's Gull | Saunders's Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus heermanni | Sternula saundersi |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 67.2 cm (26.5 in) | 33.6 cm (13.2 in) |
| Weight | 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz) | 41.825 g (1.48 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Heermann's Gull
Least Concern
Saunders's 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.
Saunders's Tern
Saunders's Tern, 22–24 cm, is a small coastal tern of the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean coasts. Very similar to Little Tern; separated by darker outer primaries and slightly smaller size. Piscivore; hovers and dives in shallow coastal waters and tidal mudflats.