Heermann's Gull vs Chinese Crested Tern
Larus heermanni compared with Thalasseus bernsteini
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Heermann's Gull | Chinese Crested Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus heermanni | Thalasseus bernsteini |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Critically Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 67.2 cm (26.5 in) | 63.8 cm (25.1 in) |
| Weight | 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz) | 280.0 g (9.88 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Heermann's Gull
Critically Endangered
Chinese 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.
Chinese Crested Tern
Chinese Crested Tern is Critically Endangered, fewer than 50 individuals known. Breeding sites on small rocky islands off eastern China; winters in Southeast Asia. Orange bill with yellow tip, black crest. Extremely similar to Greater Crested Tern; often overlooked in mixed colonies. Piscivore; plunge-dives.