Heermann's Gull vs Lesser Crested Tern
Larus heermanni compared with Thalasseus bengalensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Heermann's Gull | Lesser Crested Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus heermanni | Thalasseus bengalensis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 67.2 cm (26.5 in) | 58.6 cm (23.1 in) |
| Weight | 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz) | 212.25 g (7.49 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Heermann's Gull
Least Concern
Lesser Crested 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.
Lesser Crested Tern
Lesser Crested Tern, 35–37 cm, breeds colonially on islands across the Indian Ocean and western Pacific, from Red Sea to Australia. Orange bill, black crest, grey mantle. Coastal piscivore; plunge-dives in tropical waters. Gregarious; often nests with Greater Crested Terns.