Heermann's Gull vs Sandwich Tern
Larus heermanni compared with Thalasseus sandvicensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Heermann's Gull | Sandwich Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus heermanni | Thalasseus sandvicensis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 67.2 cm (26.5 in) | 57.7 cm (22.7 in) |
| Weight | 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz) | 223.5 g (7.88 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Heermann's Gull
Least Concern
Sandwich 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.
Sandwich Tern
Sandwich Tern, 36–41 cm, is a widespread coastal tern breeding from Western Europe and the Caspian Sea to the Caribbean. Black cap with shaggy crest, slender black bill with a yellow tip. Plunge-dives forcefully for sand eels and sprats. Strongly migratory; European birds winter to West Africa.