Mediterranean Gull vs Sandwich Tern
Larus melanocephalus compared with Thalasseus sandvicensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mediterranean Gull | Sandwich Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus melanocephalus | Thalasseus sandvicensis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 60.5 cm (23.8 in) | 57.7 cm (22.7 in) |
| Weight | 282.5 g (9.96 oz) | 223.5 g (7.88 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Mediterranean Gull
Least Concern
Sandwich 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.
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.