Mediterranean Gull vs Chinese Crested Tern
Larus melanocephalus compared with Thalasseus bernsteini
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mediterranean Gull | Chinese Crested Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus melanocephalus | Thalasseus bernsteini |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Critically Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 60.5 cm (23.8 in) | 63.8 cm (25.1 in) |
| Weight | 282.5 g (9.96 oz) | 280.0 g (9.88 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Mediterranean Gull only
Chinese Crested Tern only
None
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Mediterranean Gull
Critically Endangered
Chinese 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.
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.