Mediterranean Gull vs Lesser Crested Tern
Larus melanocephalus compared with Thalasseus bengalensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mediterranean Gull | Lesser Crested Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus melanocephalus | Thalasseus bengalensis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 60.5 cm (23.8 in) | 58.6 cm (23.1 in) |
| Weight | 282.5 g (9.96 oz) | 212.25 g (7.49 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Mediterranean Gull only
Lesser Crested Tern only
None
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Mediterranean Gull
Least Concern
Lesser Crested 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.
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.