Andean Gull vs Fairy Tern
Larus serranus compared with Sternula nereis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andean Gull | Fairy Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus serranus | Sternula nereis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 70.6 cm (27.8 in) | 35.6 cm (14.0 in) |
| Weight | 478.0 g (16.86 oz) | 68.5 g (2.42 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-4 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Andean Gull
Vulnerable
Fairy Tern
About These Birds
Andean Gull
Andean Gull, 45–48 cm, breeds at high-altitude Andean lakes from Colombia to Argentina, typically above 3000 m. Black hood in breeding plumage; white below with grey mantle. Largely insectivore, following cattle or foraging at lake edges. Partial altitudinal migrant descending to Pacific and Atlantic coasts in winter.
Fairy Tern
Fairy Tern, 22–25 cm, breeds in southern Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia on sandy beaches. White and pale grey with an orange-yellow bill; delicate and buoyant in flight. Piscivore; hovers and plunge-dives in shallow coastal and estuarine waters. Vulnerable due to beach disturbance.