Mediterranean Gull vs Sooty Tern
Larus melanocephalus compared with Onychoprion fuscatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mediterranean Gull | Sooty Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus melanocephalus | Onychoprion fuscatus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 60.5 cm (23.8 in) | 56.1 cm (22.1 in) |
| Weight | 282.5 g (9.96 oz) | 183.0 g (6.46 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Mediterranean Gull
Least Concern
Sooty Tern
About These Birds
Mediterranean Gull
Mediterranean Gull, 36–38 cm, has expanded dramatically since the 1970s, breeding across Europe from the Black Sea to Britain. Pure white body, jet-black hood in breeding plumage — the only gull with entirely white wingtips. Piscivore and invertivore; nests in colonies, often with Black-headed Gulls.
Sooty Tern
Sooty Tern is a highly pelagic tern, 33–36 cm, wingspan 82–94 cm, breeding pantropically on oceanic islands. Jet-black above, white below, with a white forehead patch. Among the most aerial of birds; rarely lands on water. Piscivore; snaps fish and squid at the surface during mass prey events.